Joey Barton has joined French club Marseille on a season-long loan from QPR – and as he departs, Stephane Mbia arrives at Loftus Road from the same club for an undisclosed fee.
The midfield powerhouse, who is also capable of playing in defence, has signed a two-year contract after moving for an undisclosed fee from Marseille. He becomes the 12th signing of the window for manager Mark Hughes.
Earlier on Friday, Hughes told a press conference: “He is en route as we speak. Hopefully we will get him in to a medical quite quickly.”
Mbia revealed on Thursday that he was set to move to West London after Rangers lodged a bid for him, and Hughes said: “He is another player that can play in a couple of positions. I like that flexibility in players.”
Barton’s move to Marseille was dependent on the Mbia transfer going through, but Hughes had spoken of his optimism that both moves could be successfully concluded.