• The Championship

Dunne close to Queens Park Rangers deal

ESPN staff
July 12, 2013
Richard Dunne found himself out of favour at Villa Park © PA Photos
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Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne is closing in on a move to Queens Park Rangers, a source close to the deal has told ESPN.

Dunne is a free agent after being released by Aston Villa last month and QPR are on the brink of seeing off strong competition for the signature of the veteran defender by bringing him to London.

Newly promoted Premier League side Hull, Championship outfit Derby and Scottish Premier League side Celtic have been linked with Dunne in recent weeks, but it looks as if Loftus Road will be the venue for the re-launch of his faltering career.

The 33-year-old did not kick a ball for Villa in the Premier League last season as he failed to overcome a host of injury problems, which were exasperated by his faltering appearances in Ireland's Euro 2012 campaign last summer.

Now Dunne is hoping a move to QPR will kick-start both his club and international career, with his comeback for Ireland in last month's international against Georgia fuelling hope that he can play a role in his country's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria in September.

Redknapp is believed to view Dunne as the ideal replacement for the departed Chris Samba, with the Dubliner's chequered injury record the primary concern if he agrees to drop down into a physically demanding Championship division.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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