Park embraces fresh challenge

09 July 2012 17:17

Park Ji-sung admits it was a tough decision to leave Manchester United after joining QPR - but says it is time for a 'new challenge'.

The 31-year-old South Korea international brought his successful seven-year spell at Old Trafford to an end on Monday by joining Rangers for an undisclosed fee believed to be upwards of £2million.

"It was a very difficult decision, it's hard to leave such a big club, but QPR showed me what they are trying to be," he said. "It is time for a new challenge."

He added: "QPR want to be a bigger club, they want to improve and it's a great challenge. It was a difficult decision but they have great players and they are hungry to get to the next level. It's not about the money."

Park, signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, made 203 appearances for United, scoring 27 goals and winning four Premier League titles, three League Cups and the Champions League in 2008.

But the midfielder has opted to move to Rangers, who only escaped relegation on the final day of last season, despite other offers from England, Europe and the Far East.

Park is Rangers' sixth signing of the summer, joining Ryan Nelsen, Andrew Johnson, Robert Green, Samba Diakite and former Old Trafford team-mate Fabio at Loftus Road as Hughes attempts to avoid a repeat of last season's struggles.

The ambitious club also claim his signing will "put the QPR brand on a global scale", heading up their attempts to break into the Asian market.

Hughes said: "On a football level Ji is someone I have admired from afar for years.

"He wore the red shirt of Manchester United in a distinguished way and he will bring a great deal to the team, I can't wait to start working with him."

Source: PA