Ben Sahar makes debut for QPR

17-year-old Israel international played 34 minutes in the second half of QPR's 1-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

By ALLON SINAI
ben sahar qpr 298 88 (photo credit: Courtesy)
ben sahar qpr 298 88
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Ben Sahar made his debut for Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon after joining the League Championship side for an initial three-month loan deal on Thursday night. The 17-year-old Israel international, who will officially join from Chelsea on August 1, played 34 minutes in the second half of QPR's 1-0 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. "I am excited about this move and feel ready to play for the first-team," said Sahar, who will be hoping to become a regular in the QPR starting lineup. Sahar only made five substitute appearances for Chelsea last season, playing a total of 107 minutes. "I have already shown that I know how to score goals, and hopefully I will do that for QPR. I am still young and I need to show that I deserve to be in the QPR team," he told the club's Web site. Manager John Gregory was delighted with his latest acquisition. "It's exciting to have somebody of Ben's undoubted potential being part of our set-up at the start of the new season," he said. "I use the word 'potential' as Ben has still got his whole career in front of him at the moment. "Although he has got full caps for the national team and has made first-team appearances for Chelsa in the Premiership, it will still be a big step-up for Ben to become a regular player in the Championship, but we firmly believe it's a step-up that he is more-than-capable of achieving," Gregory continued. "We are delighted to have him here and I am sure he will improve our attacking options. I now have six recognized strikers who are all fighting for two or three places in the team," he said. "As ever, I would like to pay a debt of gratitude to Chelsea for giving us the opportunity to have him here and to help him further his English footballing education," Gregory concluded. Sahar, who joined the Chelsea youth academy from Hapoel Tel Aviv in May 2006 in a deal worth a reported $600,000, will wear the No. 17 shirt and is sure his time in the Championship will help him further his career. "The style of football here is much more aggressive and you need to be stronger," he acknowledged. "The Championship is very tough, so it can only improve me as a player. That is why I am very happy to be here. I can't wait to wear the QPR shirt."