2016 free transfer has made QPR eight figures and there's more to come: View | OneFootball

Queens Park Rangers were seemingly blessed in 2016 when they signed Eberechi Eze for free.

The Greenwich-born attacking midfielder, spent his youth years playing for several clubs in and around London, but received a number of setbacks, including being released by Arsenal at the age of 13. Eze then appeared for the youth teams of Fulham and Reading, before signing a two-year scholarship with Millwall.

When the Lions released Eze in 2016, it seemed as though his professional football career was in trouble, but this actually turned out to be one of his biggest blessings in disguise. QPR soon came calling, following his release, and after a successful trial period, Eze signed a professional contract with the Hoops, initially linking up with the club's under 21s side.

The rest is history as the 25-year-old went on to make QPR millions of pounds after four years with the club. Not only did QPR make substanstial profit on the player, but they got great use out of him on the pitch as he became a vital asset for the club.

Eze's spell at QPR

Eze joined the Hoops reasonably unknown, but left as a hero, despite spending just four years with the club. He first impressed in senior football when on loan with Wycombe Wanderers in League Two, where he scored five goals.

This form immediately earned him a place in QPR's first team, and he continued to impress. Naturally, it took Eze a couple of seasons to really get firing and producing big numbers, but when he did, it became quickly evident that he had the qualities of a Premier League footballer.

It was under Mark Warburton that Eze essentially became one of the best players in the Championship, scoring 14 goals and assisting eight in the 2019/20 Championship season alone. In recognititon of this immense record, he was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year that season, and that was when the Premier League finally came calling.

The 2019/20 campaign saw Eze start all 46 Championship games for QPR, and he quickly became their star man. He mostly operated behind the striker or on the left wing, and would be a real threat to Championship defenders up and down the division. His dribbling, key passing and an eye for goal is what would have caught the eye of Crystal Palace when they splashed the cash on the player in 2020.

A big move to the top flight

A transfer that didn't cost a single penny for QPR back in 2016 turned out to be a genius move in 2020, when Crystal Palace signed Eze for a deal worth an initial £16 million, plus a potential £4 million in add-ons. Of course, losing Eze was an enormous blow for Queens Park Rangers, but the fee was a big boost to the club, and they are still benefitting from it today.

As for Eze, he finally got his move to the promised land of the Premier League and has since shone in the red and blue of Crystal Palace, becoming arguably their best player. The 2022/23 campaign was his best yet in the top flight, scoring ten goals and assisting four as the Eagles finished 11th in the table.

Eze's good form in the Premier League earned him his England debut under Gareth Southgate, coming off the bench for James Maddison in a 4-0 win over Malta; a proud moment for Eze, QPR and Crystal palace.

Yes, QPR have already made upwards of £20 million on the sale of Eze, but there could be more coming their way in the not-so-distant future. The club were incredibly smart to put a clause in the transfer agreement back in 2020, stating that QPR are owed 20% of Eze's next sale from Crystal Palace.

Eze's departure may occur fairly soon as he has become a highly valuable player at Crystal Palace, and has gathered plenty of attention among clubs higher in the division. In October 2023, The Standard reported that Manchester City were highly interested in striking a deal for the player and were in 'advanced talks' with Crystal Palace.

City reportedly failed with a £60 million move for Eze in the summer, and this can only excite QPR supporters. The European champions could still look to secure his services in the upcoming transfer window, which would mean a large sum of money coming to Loftus Road.

In hindsight, signing the 25-year-old on a free back in 2016 turned out to be one of the club's best ever pieces of buisness.