Charlie Austin’s £4 Million Transfer: A Winning Move for QPR

In the summer of 2013, Charlie Austin made a significant move to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) for £4 million, marking a pivotal moment for the club as they sought to recover from their recent relegation from the Premier League. Following a disappointing season in 2012/13, in which QPR made several high-profile signings that did not yield the desired results, the club aimed to rebuild its squad and secure an immediate return to the top flight.

QPR’s previous season had seen the club invest heavily in players such as Jose Bosingwa, Christopher Samba, and Loic Remy, which resulted in a costly and ineffective roster. With the aim of offloading these high earners, manager Harry Redknapp sought to rejuvenate the team by welcoming new talent, including Austin, who had just finished an impressive season with Burnley, netting 24 goals and providing three assists in 37 Championship matches.

Austin’s arrival at QPR proved to be a masterstroke. In his debut season, he quickly endeared himself to the fans by scoring 20 goals and contributing three assists across all competitions. Despite suffering a mid-season injury that sidelined him for 12 games, Austin’s impact was undeniable. QPR ultimately clinched promotion back to the Premier League, thanks to Bobby Zamora‘s dramatic late winner against Derby County in the play-off final.

The following season, Austin continued to shine. He scored 18 goals and assisted six times in 35 Premier League appearances, a remarkable feat considering QPR finished at the bottom of the table. His contribution of 24 goals was noteworthy, placing him on par with stars like Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard, while surpassing the tallies of Wayne Rooney and David Silva. Despite QPR’s relegation, Austin’s performance established him as one of the standout players from that season.

Austin’s journey with QPR extended into January 2016 when he transferred to Southampton, having scored nine goals in the first half of the 2015/16 season. His record during his first Premier League campaign remains one of the best from a player on a relegated team, highlighting the potential QPR had unearthed for just £4 million.

In January 2021, the club welcomed Austin back after a stint with West Bromwich Albion, where he struggled for playing time. Although he could not replicate his earlier success, he left QPR once again after one-and-a-half seasons, this time heading to the Australian A-League to join Brisbane Roar. His second spell at QPR did not yield the same prolific results, with no player since then surpassing his record of 18 goals from the 2014/15 season, with Eberechi Eze coming closest in the 2019/20 season with 14 goals.

As Austin currently plays in the lower leagues of England with Basingstoke Town, his time in top-flight football appears to have concluded. Nevertheless, his legacy at QPR endures. For a modest £4 million investment, the club secured a player who not only contributed significantly to their success but also captured the hearts of fans. Austin’s ability to outscore several Premier League greats in his debut season serves as a testament to the remarkable talent QPR once brought into their ranks.