Transfer news from across the Championship as Asmir Begovic leaves Everton to sign for Queens Park Rangers

Asmir Begovic has signed a one-year contract at Queens Park Rangers after leaving Everton.

The former Stoke City keeper links up with Gareth Ainsworth at Loftus Road as StokeonTrentLive understands he was keen to move closer to his family base in London.

Now 36, he said: “This feels great. It’s something that’s been worked on the past few weeks and I am really excited to be here and can’t wait to get started. In this day and age with social media it’s difficult to keep these secrets, but out of all the conversations I had with different clubs I really felt this was the right move for myself and my family.

“To see the positive reaction from the fans was really exciting but now the hard work starts. We have to make sure we hit the ground running on the training ground and in friendlies to have a really good start to the season.”

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Begovic helped Bournemouth reach the play-offs the last time he was in the Championship in 2020/21, keeping 15 clean sheets and being named in the divisional team of the year.

He has spent the last two years as back-up to Jordan Pickford and said: “I always prepared to play and be ready. If you can stay ready, then you never have to be ready. That’s a really good saying that I like to live by and something that is very important to me.

Ainsworth is ready to throw him the gloves as replacement for Seny Dieng – working under coach Gavin Ward, another former Stoke keeper.

The manager said: “This is a huge signing for QPR and for me personally. People I talk to in the game cannot recommend his professionalism, the way he is around the place and the leadership he’ll bring highly enough. Asmir is going to add so much. I’m really looking forward to working with him and the boys are excited for him to come in as well.

“Asmir is coming in as our number one and I am hoping he can be the first of many names to join this club for the upcoming season in which I intend to change the whole feeling around the place. To have someone with the presence of Asmir Begović walking into the building is brilliant and I want to thank Gavin Ward, Lee Hoos and the board who have all played a massive part in making it happen.”