Age, wages, face didn't fit
Good luck & thanks Steve......
From the Club...
'Steve Cook will leave QPR this summer.
'The 35-year-old defender joined the R’s in August 2023. To date, he has made 99 appearances
for the club.
Cook is likely to be involved and make his 100th and final outing for the R’s when we host
Swansea City at MATRADE Loftus Road on Tuesday, with the club looking to the future with its
selections for our final fixtures against Derby County and Ipswich Town.
“It's never easy to leave a club, but with the amount of games I've managed to play over the three
years, I hope I've been able to contribute on and off the pitch,” Cook said.
“I feel like I've done what I was asked to do when I first joined. I'm pleased with the progress (and)
that I’ve managed to help along the way.
“I've been fortunate that the players in this group are really good guys. I've made some friends for,
hopefully, life - and that's just in the dressing room. With staff as well, I’ve got some really close bonds.
“It’s a credit to the way the club is being run. The owners are fantastic, and the people behind the
scenes are really good people.
“Everyone has been amazing to me and it’s nice because it doesn’t happen often in football.”
Cook also had a message of thanks for the QPR supporters, adding: “The loyalty that the fans have
shown the team has been incredible.
“I've appreciated the support along the way, It's really kept us going and, what I will say is if they
don't realise how big a support they give the players, if they can take any words from me, it's appreciated
a lot, and it gets the club and the team over the line.
“I will miss the club a lot, but I'm really, really proud to be leaving with my head held high and with the
friendships I've made.”
CEO Christian Nourry said: “Steve rapidly fell in love with QPR and the care and diligence with which he
conducted himself off and on the field throughout his time here has been an immense benefit to the staff,
the players and our fortunes on the pitch.
“Over the last two-and-a-half years, I’ve gotten to know Steve as a person as well as a professional. I can say
that this too has been a privilege. His self-awareness, ambition and curiosity mean such that it would be a
pleasure to be on the same team together in some capacity again in the future.”
In 2023/24, Cook’s first season in W12, the centre-back was named Supporters’ Player of the Year. He made
36 appearances and played a vital role in helping the club retain its Championship status – not just with his
defensive performances but also by grabbing two goals in as many games across a big Easter weekend as we
picked up crucial back-to-back wins against Birmingham City and Swansea City.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Cook was named captain and made a further 33 appearances for the club,
once again helping steer the R’s to Championship safety.
This season, Cook has made 30 appearances.
The club would like to thank Steve for his incredible service to date and we wish him every success for the
future.'