Ex-Charlton loanee makes QPR return

Former Charlton Athletic loanee Paul Smyth has joined Championship side QPR after he turned down a new deal at League One club Leyton Orient.

The 25-year-old scored 10 goals and picked up three assists in 42 appearances last season for Orient as they won the League Two title.

Northern Ireland international Smyth joined the Addicks on a season-long loan in October 2020, making 14 appearances and scoring once before returning to his then parent club QPR.

This will be Smyth’s second spell at Loftus Road, who was initially on the books with the west Londoners between 2017 and 2021.

He has signed a three-year deal.

“Paul was one of the outstanding talents in League Two last season,” QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth told the club website.

“He was a big reason why Orient won the league and why they were so potent going forward. When he left Wycombe there was still development work to do and now I believe he’s getting close to the finished article.

“We are going to see the best of Paul Smyth – maybe three or four years ago it was just a little early to make his mark in this division but I am sure he is going to do that now.”