QPR, an English Championship football club, has released four Nigerian players – Leon Balogun, Luke Amos, Olamide Shodipo, and Odyssius Alfa – at the end of the 2022-2023 season, per westlondonsport.com.

Balogun, a 34-year-old defender, joined QPR on a short-term deal in 2022, making 15 appearances for the club. Amos, a 26-year-old midfielder, was signed from Tottenham in 2020 but had been troubled by long-term knee problems. Shodipo, a 25-year-old winger, came through QPR’s youth system and made 38 appearances for the club, while Alfa, a 24-year-old defender, joined the club in 2020 but did not make any first-team appearances.

QPR also confirmed that Luke Amos would be leaving the club along with Balogun, whose departure at the end of his contract was also confirmed. However, QPR has signed Taylor Richards permanently from Brighton, despite his disappointing loan spell. Richards, a 22-year-old midfielder, has only started one game for QPR since arriving at the club.

The club has also extended the contracts of Chris Willock, Charlie Kelman, and Joe Gubbins. Conor Masterson, Olamide Shodipo, Charlie Owens, and Ody Alfa have been released. Masterson, a 23-year-old defender, has been on loan at Gillingham, who have now signed him on a permanent deal.

Despite the release of the four Nigerian players, QPR has had a history of Nigerian players, with the likes of Bright Osayi-Samuel having played for the club in the past. QPR is known for its good relationships with Nigerian clubs and has been able to scout and sign Nigerian talents for several years.

QPR head coach Gareth Ainsworth wants to revamp the squad and expects “big changes” over the next few months. While there are doubts over the future of Stefan Johansen, who has a year left on his contract, Ainsworth plans to make significant changes to the squad in the coming months, including bringing in new players to fill the void left by the Nigerian quartet.

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