Post by QPR Report on May 31, 2010 10:30:30 GMT
QPR Official Site - May 31, 2000
RANGERS SIGN WREXHAM FAVOURITE
QPR secured the signing of former Wrexham star Karl Connolly today on a three-year contract today.
It was while playing for Liverpool Sunday morning side Napoli that Karl caught the attention of Wrexham and he joined the Welsh side in 1991.
He soon became a huge favourite with the Racecourse Ground faithful and won the supporters' player of the year award for three successive seasons.
Karl is best suited to role on the left flank where his pace and trickery were a key factor in Wrexham's recent cup exploits and he played a significant role in the club's victories over Arsenal in 1992 and Middlesbrough last season.
In recent campaigns he has been played up front by Wrexham boss Bryan Flynn and was the side's top scorer for the last two seasons.
He finally made the move to west London after intense speculation, rejecting the chance to move back to his native Merseyside to join Tranmere.
Connolly was generally regarded as the "jewel" in the Wrexham side in recent years, and the most gifted player at the club and has the potential to become a big favourite at Loftus Road.
He found the target 88 times in 337 league appearances for Wrexham and bagged a hugely impressive 16 FA Cup goals in 37 appearances.
Karl Connolly's Carling Opta Statistics for 1999/00 season:
Goals: 9
Shots On Target (inc goals):37
Shots Off Target:36
Blocked Shots: 14
Goal Assists:1
Total Passes:1,215
Pass Completion %:60%
Dribbles & Runs:160
Dribbles completion: 75%
Total Crosses: 108
Cross Completion %: 21%
Tackles Made:33
Tackles Won %: 55%
Blocks:21
Clearances: 23
Interceptions: 6
Fouls: 35
Offside: 27
Yellow Cards: 6
Red Cards: 0.
An exclusive interview with Karl will follow shortly.
GERRY CAPTURES LONG TERM TARGET
RANGERS have signed 30-year-old Karl Connolly from Wrexham on a Bosman free transfer. The striker has signed a three-year contract at Loftus Road.
Director of Football Gerry Francis says: "Karl is a player that I've watched for a number of years. When I was at Bristol Rovers, I watched him and couldn't afford him.
"When I was at QPR in the Premiership I had a look at him. Obviously I felt he was a good player then. So I've kept an eye on him for a long time. He's scored nearly 100 goals in 300 games for Wrexham and I'm very pleased that we've been able to take him on a Bosman.
"Karl is a very fit player. He's been a regular performer, year-in year out. And I'm very pleased we've got him because he's a good footballer.
"He's primarily left footed but he's got two good feet. He's about 5'11" and he's very good in the air for his size.
He's consistently scored goals for Wrexham for nine or ten years. That takes a bit of doing. Obviously with the position at the moment with Chris Kiwomya and Kevin Gallen being out of contract and not knowing what the future is, it was important to get another striker in.
"I'm hoping to sign another player in the next 24 to 48 hours as well. We are trying to strengthen the squad to hopefully get into those play-offs for next season. That's how we have got to gradually improve each year."
