Thursday 20 August 2015 17:53, UK
Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies has signed for their Championship rivals QPR in a deal worth £1.2m.
The 25-year-old, who has made 274 appearances for the Yorkshire club, is moving to London after he was linked with a switch there over the last few days.
Smithies' transfer was delayed slightly because one of the medical consultants at his new club was unavailable.
Everything has now been processed, however, and his arrival at Loftus Road is likely to see Rob Green leave and return to West Ham three years after he left them and went the other way.
Smithies, who has signed a three-year deal, told QPR's website: "This was a big decision but the timing was right for my career. QPR is the ideal opportunity for me. I have worked hard and now is the time for a new challenge.
"Being at a club that was recently in the Premier League, there is going to be a lot of expectation to push on and improve, and I think I will thrive off that.
"QPR want to bring in young players who are hungry for the game and want to do well for the club and I certainly fit that bill."
Manager Chris Ramsey, who is looking to take his side straight back up into the Premier League, said: "Alex is a decent addition to the group for us.
"He's played at this level and knows what it takes to compete in the Championship. He's approaching 250 league starts, so we're delighted to add him to the squad."
Smithies missed Huddersfield's 1-1 draw with Brighton on Tuesday and could make his QPR debut in Saturday's home league meeting with Rotherham.
