QPR new boy gives up studies for the R’s

Queens Park Rangers new signing Esteban Granero is happy to put football before his studies.

The £9 million man was completing a psychology degree in the Spanish capital, before Mark Hughes prised the midfielder away from Real Madrid.

A highly intelligent footballer, who is keen a studier of literature, the 25 year old discussed his studies, “I only have one or two years left, but now I am taking a break. I will start in Madrid again after the break.”

Granero had come through the youth academy at Real Madrid but needed move on to find more playing opportunities, with world-class performers such as Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and now Luka Modric blocking his path.

He added: “Real were my club since I was eight so of course it was a big change, but it wasn’t traumatic for me because I was so excited to join QPR. It wasn’t a hard decision to come here. I’m hungry I will grow as a player.

“Real Madrid is a great club, I have played there since I was eight. I spent three years in the first team I will always be thankful to them.”