QPR sign Nardi with Begovic set to leave

Goalkeeper Paul Nardi is QPR's first signing of the summer

Queens Park Rangers have signed French goalkeeper Paul Nardi after it was announced that Asmir Begovic will leave the Championship club when his contract expires this summer.

Nardi joins following the end of his deal with Belgium top-flight side KAA Gent.

The 30-year-old moved to French club Lorient in 2019, where he stayed for three years, before signing for Gent.

“It is such an important position so it was a target of ours to get him in early," said head coach Martí Cifuentes.

Asmir Begovic made 46 appearances in all competitions for QPR last season

“Paul is a 'keeper who is at a very good age in terms of the ability to develop while already performing at a very high level."

He added: “Asmir did a fantastic job last season and when we knew he would not continue, it was important we had a good set of goalkeepers here.

"With Joe Walsh, Murphy Mahoney and Matteo Salamon renewing their contracts, this gives us a good platform for the future, so we are very satisfied.”

Nardi started his career in France at AS Nancy before a move to Monaco in 2014, where he spent five years. He also represented France at under-21 level.

The departing Begovic signed for QPR last summer and appeared 46 times for the club.

He made more than 100 appearances for both Stoke and Bournemouth either side of a spell at Chelsea in which he served as back-up to Thibaut Courtois in the Blues' 2016-17 Premier League title-winning season.

He has 63 international caps for Bosnia-Herzegovina and joins Albert Adomah, Osman Kakay, Aaron Drewe, Andre Dozzell, Jordan Archer, Stephen Duke-McKenna and Joe Gubbins in leaving Loftus Road, after their exits were announced through May.