ROB Hulse was set to sign for Queen’s Park Rangers last night as the summer transfer window closed.
It is understood the Derby County striker travelled to West London yesterday afternoon for a medical after agreeng terms on a three-year deal, with the Rams set to receive an undisclosed fee for the 30-year-old.
At the time the Mail went to press, an announcement on whether Hulse had agreed the move to Loftus Road had not been made.
Meanwhile, Rams boss Nigel Clough moved to bring in highly rated Alberto Bueno from Spanish side Real Valladolid on a year-long loan.
The 22-year-old front runner was at Pride Park on Saturday to see Derby draw 2-2 with QPR.
He has linked up with the rest of the Rams squad in Marbella for their training camp during the international break.
Clough said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alberto to Derby County.
“It’s a real coup for us that we’ve managed to bring him here. A lot of hard work has gone into this deal and it’s great news we’ve managed to secure his signature because other teams across Europe were interested in him.
“He’s going to need time to adapt to the English game, but we believe he will bring something to our team and make an impact.” The 22-year-old is a product of Real Madrid’s youth system, and he made a handful of first-team appearances for the European giants during 2008/09, scoring on his debut in the Spanish Cup, before moving to Valladolid last summer for 3m Euros.
Clough said: “Alberto was a player recommended to us, and Johnny Metgod went to see him in action last week.
“That is the advantage of having Johnny on our coaching staff — he has a wide range of contacts throughout Europe which is something we can tap into when it comes to player recruitment.
“We’ve been to watch various players in Spain and Europe over the last year, but this is the first where we’ve put a deal together.
“You have to look at whether the player can fit into our team and also adapt to life in England, and on both accounts Alberto fits the bill.
“Johnny was impressed with what he saw of Alberto, and he has had some glowing references from the people we have spoken to.”
