QPR see off Liverpool competition to capture £6m Reading goalkeeper

QPR have signed highly-rated Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy for a fee believed to be around £6million.

The 24-year-old has penned a four-year deal at Loftus Road and will compete directly with Rob Green to be the Hoops' no.1.

McCarthy, who has won three caps for the England Under-21s, was also being chased by Liverpool but QPR won the race for his services.

And manager Harry Redknapp told the club's official website: “I am delighted to bring Alex in. He’s a great young goalkeeper with a great future in front of him.

"I think he’s got the potential to be a future England goalkeeper one day, so to have him here at QPR is fantastic. We’ve got Rob Green and Brian Murphy, and Alex’s arrival here helps to further strengthen the goalkeeping department.

“I want to have competition for places in all areas of the pitch, and you can’t have too much quality in your squad.  He is a great signing for the club, and for the future of QPR.”

McCarthy, who was also called up to the senior England squad in May 2013 but did not get on the field, added: “I’m over the moon to be back in the Premier League.

“When you’re growing up, all you dream about is playing in the best league in the world - I had a taste of it at Reading, but to be back here now is fantastic.”

Discussing the competition for his acquisition, the Reading academy product said: “I spoke to Harry a few times and that was probably the icing on the cake for me.

“I’m only 24 and I want to be playing games - there are goalkeeper’s out there that have sat on the bench and been forgotten about. I don’t want to be one of those. It’s a great challenge for me.”