Newcastle announce late exit as another Rafa Benitez signing secures move

Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden has joined Championship side QPR for the remainder of the season.

This is his second loan move of the 2023/24 campaign, with the 28-year-old spending the first half of the season with Belgian side Standard Liege.

After that stint was cut short due to a lack of game time and issues over salary payments, he'll play alongside former Mag Jack Colback at Loftus Road. He becomes the second Rafa Benitez signing to leave this month after Javier Manquillo joined Celta Vigo on a permanent basis.

He still has 18 months remaining on his Newcastle contract, but is in need of a new home after falling out of Eddie Howe's plans. Hopefully he can impress over the next few months and tempt QPR into making the move permanent this summer.

https://twitter.com/QPR/status/1753161299209412888

Speaking about the move, here's what he told QPR.co.uk:

“I feel very happy, very pleased to be joining QPR. I am just delighted to get it over the line.

“It is obvious to see the position the club are in at the moment but it is a challenge that I feel I can add some value to, on and off the pitch – be an experienced player and be a leader to try and help the club stay in the league.

“Everyone knows what the Championship is like but if we can get a consistent run of performances, hopefully the points will come.”

“You can take the easy option in life and do things the easy way or you can take a challenge on and go head first into it. That’s what I wanted to do here. I have looked at the squad and there are some really good players in it.

“There is definitely enough there but it is about us proving that on a matchday when it counts.”