English club QPR sign Junior Hoilett

London - Canadian forward Junior Hoilett has signed a four-year contract with English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers, the London side said Friday.

QPR picked up Hoilett, 22, on a free transfer after he refused to extend his contract with Blackburn Rovers following the team’s relegation to the Championship.

Hoilett said that his decision was mainly motivated by coach Mark Hughes, who he had worked with at Blackburn.

“The manager obviously played a big part in my decision to come here,” Hoilett said.

“He’s someone I know well here having worked with him and his backroom team at Blackburn. I signed my first professional contract under him and I will always remember that and be grateful to him.”

Hughes said the Canadian would strengthen the squad.

“He’s certainly a player that will enhance what we’ve got in the group and I am delighted he’s chosen to come to us,” Hughes said.

Hoilett is a graduate of the Blackburn academy but was forced to spend the first two seasons of his professional career on loan in Germany due to work permit problems.

After returning to Blackburn in 2009, he notched up 14 goals and nine assists in 92 appearances.

Hoilett is QPR’s seventh signing of the summer.

The others are ex-England goalkeeper Robert Green, striker Andrew Johnson, New Zealand defender Ryan Nelsen, Mali midfielder Samba Diakite, South Korea midfielder Park Ji Sung and full-back Fabio da Silva, loaned from Manchester United.