Ex-Chelsea star who England were ‘desperate’ to call up seals shock free transfer to EFL club after horror spell abroad

FORMER Chelsea and Brighton speedster Tariq Lamptey has joined QPR on a free. The right-back, 25, had been unemployed since terminating his Fiorentina contract by mutual consent two and a half months ago. Tarik Lamptey has signed for QPR on a free Credit: QPR Lamptey played just 25 minutes of first-team football for Fiorentina Credit: Getty The Italian side forked out just over £5million to sign Lamptey from Brighton last year. But the 5ft 4ins wide man endured a torrid time abroad, tearing his ACL after playing just 25 minutes across two appearances, and missing the rest of the season. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Lamptey will now try and get his career back on track in the Championship. Some fans will have rubbed their eyes upon seeing him holding the blue and white shirt on Tuesday morning. Lamptey was hot property at Chelsea, making three first-team appearances as a teenager and earning a big move to the Seagulls. There, he made over 100 Premier League appearances and scored five goals across all competitions. Two years into his Brighton spell, when Lamptey was at the peak of his powers, the FA was scrapping to keep him committed to England. He had played up to Under-21 level by that point and was knocking on the door of the senior side, but chose to switch to Ghana. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Lamptey played over 120 games for Brighton Credit: Getty Lamptey played for England Under-21s before switching his international allegiance to Ghana Credit: Getty Lamptey made his Chelsea debut against Arsenal in 2019 Credit: Getty The FA had been ‘desperate’ to keep him, according to The Athletic. Lamptey has earned 11 caps for Ghana but his last one came almost two years ago. After being unveiled by QPR, who finished 15th in the second tier under Julien Stephan last campaign, Lamptey told the club website: “The team have ambitious goals for the season, so I am looking forward to it. “I know what I am capable of and I set myself high standards. I had a great start to my career, and I’ll keep continuing that. “My recovery has gone well and I’m not too far away now. I’m looking forward to joining the boys. “You can’t really predict what’s going to happen, you can only put your best foot forward and prepare as well as possible. And that’s what I try to do.” Comment now