What Lucas Andersen has said about leaving QPR as big Loftus Road exit news confirmed | OneFootball

The 30-year-old will depart Loftus Road at the end of his current contract

Queens Park Rangers have revealed that Lucas Andersen will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June.

The 30-year-old has enjoyed a productive year-and-a-half at Loftus Road, after signing as a free agent in February 2024 following his second stint at Danish side Aalborg.

Andersen was a key figure in QPR's good run of form towards the latter end of the 2023/24 season, which helped the Hoops stay in the Championship.

Whilst regular starts were hard to come by this past campaign, he departs with plenty of memorable moments, including a late winner in their 2-1 win over Preston North End this season.

A popular figure during the short time he was there, Andersen spoke to QPR following the news of his departure, with plenty of positives about his first time playing in England.

Lucas Andersen's departing message after QPR exit confirmed

Lucas Andersen told QPR's media that, "QPR has been one of the best places I've been as a whole - my team-mates, fans, stadiums and the football heritage is unmatched.

"It's always my goal to not only be remembered as a footballer but also a good human being.

"My family have loved every second of living in London. And we are definitely coming back."

QPR was the fifth club Andersen had played for in his career, after lining out for Grasshoppers, Ajax, Willem II and Aalborg.

Reflecting on his time at Loftus Road, Andersen named the 4-0 win over Leeds United towards the tail end of the 2023/24 season as one of his favourite memories. The 30-year-old scored the second as the R's all but confirmed their Championship safety in a famous win.

"One of my greatest memories on the pitch was the Leeds game at home - that energy, an evening game, lights on and electric stands. That's football!"

Lucas Andersen's departure was always coming at QPR

There may be a few sad faces around Loftus Road after Lucas Andersen has departed, but few can be surprised at the exit.

Andersen fell down the pecking order significantly this season, with six of his 13 Championship starts coming in the first nine games of the campaign.

With his contract up at the end of the season, it makes sense that he would prioritise regular game time somewhere else as he enters his 30s, even if he leaves QPR with many good memories at Loftus Road.

And R's fans will share in those memories too, from his first goal against Leeds to his last against Preston. Leaving the club naturally at the culmination of his contract was probably for the best.

QPR fans will always hold the players who fought for Championship survival during the latter stages of the 2023/24 campaign in high regard, and Lucas Andersen falls right into that category.