Queens Park Rangers continue their Mark-Hughes-led makeover, finalising a deal with Ligue 1 side Nancy for Mali midfielder Samba Diakite. The 23-year-old, who's started both of his team's matches so far at the Africa Cup of Nations, apparently flew into London on Sunday for a medical and the transfer is now complete. Hughes waxed poetic about his new player's abilities:
Samba is a young player who has made an impression on French football. There has been a lot of interest in him from top clubs in France so we have done really well to get him in.
He is a good age, has got strength, power, can carry the ball and can score goals from midfield on occasions. He will give us more physical presence and athleticism in the middle of the park so he is going to be a good addition.
The deal is for a season-long loan for Diakite at Loftus Road, but the transfer will be made permanent should Hughes be successful in guiding QPR to another season in the Premier League. Considering they've acquired Nedum Onuoha, Taye Taiwo and now Diakite in the past few weeks, that shouldn't prove too much of a problem.