QPR struck gold with 2015 Loftus Road arrival - He's still going strong at 37 | OneFootball

Queens Park Rangers' signing of Tjaronn Chery from FC Groningen in 2015 proved to be an inspired piece of business.

Queens Park Rangers' signing of Tjaronn Chery from FC Groningen in 2015 proved to be an inspired piece of business.

Chery is fondly remembered by R's supporters to this day and continues to defy his advancing years at 37, having scored 18 goals for Royal Antwerp in the 2024/25 season - the best return of his entire career.

The attacking midfielder arrived at a time when QPR were dealing with the immediate aftermath of Premier League relegation, making his impact all the more remarkable during a rough period - they were under heavy financial constraints.

Tjaronn Chery proved to be a shrewd summer signing by QPR

QPR activated an undisclosed release clause in the Dutchman's contract with FC Groningen in the July of 2015 - fighting off interest from several Premier League clubs to secure his signature on a three-year deal.

Then-director of football, Les Ferdinand, was particularly pleased with the signing, going into detail on Chery rejecting better offers elsewhere to join QPR.

"He had offers to earn much more money elsewhere, but he's chosen QPR because he feels he can progress here as a player and that's fantastic," Ferdinand told BBC Sport at the time.

At 27, Chery arrived with an impressive pedigree - having scored 15 in 34 Eredivisie appearances during his final season with Groningen.

As such, the Loftus Road faithful hoped he would be able to make a real impact in their side at Championship level.

Chery's impact during hard times at Loftus Road forever earned him place in QPR hearts

Chery's arrival coincided with one of the most challenging periods in QPR's recent history.

The club had just suffered relegation from the Premier League following a dismal season that ended in a humiliating 6-0 thrashing to Manchester City.

Financial pressures were mounting as well - with the R's facing heavy Financial Fair Play sanctions and the gradual reduction of parachute payments.

Without their top-flight status, the club's peaked revenue of £86m in 2015 would end up declining in subsequent years.

Despite these challenging circumstances, Chery quickly established himself as a key player in the side. Playing primarily in his favoured number 10 role under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, the Dutchman provided much-needed creativity.

His crossing ability was particularly noteworthy - exemplified when he set up what was described as "the moment of Rangers' season so far" by providing rhe assist for Idrissa Sylla's late winner against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

However, Chery did cause some controversy during his time in West London. After being substituted during a derby defeat to earlier-mentioned Fulham, his reaction to being substituted was described as "despicable" by Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe.

Despite that, the Suriname international enjoyed an excellent debut 2015/16 season at Loftus Road, bagging 10 goals and four assists from 39 Championship appearances.

However, after registering four goals and three assists from 22 second tier outings during the first half of the 2016/17 campaign, Chery would leave the club in January 2017, signing for Chinese outfit Guizhou FC.

Chery had rejected a new contract with QPR, with suggestions at the time from insiders being that his performance levels had dropped after failing to agree terms with the club.

Tjaronn Chery enjoying renaissance at 37

Heading towards a decade after leaving Loftus Road, Chery continues to demonstrate the class that made him such a valuable asset for QPR.

His performances for Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp in the 2024/25 season have been exceptional for a player who turned 37 on 4 June, 2025.

The 24/25 season saw Chery achieve a personal milestone, scoring 18 goals across all competitions - surpassing his previous best of 17 goals set during his final season with Groningen in 2014.

For R's fans reflecting on their club's transfer business over the years, Chery's signing does stand out as a rare example of both good value and timing.

His consistent output during one of the most challenging periods in the club's modern history makes him someone who will be fondly remembered on the Loftus Road terraces for many years to come.