JOSE BOSINGWA adds versatility, experience, quality and class to the R’s defensive options.
Born in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), Bosingwa moved to Portugal as a child, beginning his professional career with Freamunde before making his name initially with Boavista.
Like many modern Portuguese players, however, Bosingwa’s stock rose yet further after playing for FC Porto.
He joined the club in 2003 and was an unused sub in the 2004 Champions League final – a competition that Porto would win.
Thereafter, he went on to cement his place in the starting eleven at right-back, making 107 starts in league football and helping the Portuguese giants to three league titles in four seasons.
He moved to Chelsea in the summer of 2008 in a £16.3million transfer, in a switch which proved to be the making of his career.
He quickly established himself as first-choice right-back in the side under Luiz Felipe Scolari, whom he had played under at international level.
Scolari’s departure failed to deter him and Guus Hiddink took a shine to the pacy defender.
Bosingwa featured regularly for the Blues under Hiddink, with one of his finest hours arriving against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg away at Barcelona in 2009, when - with Ashley Cole absent - he was forced to play out of position at left-back against the threat of Lionel Messi, as Chelsea kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw.
If the 2008/09 campaign was one to remember for Bosingwa, the following season was certainly one to forget, as a knee injury restricted him to just eight league appearances.
To add to Bosingwa’s woes, he underwent surgery for a second time, a move which ruled him out of the 2010 World Cup in Germany.
He made his return after a year out against Aston Villa, but didn't start a game again under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti.
Undeterred, the arrival of fellow countryman Andre Villas-Boas as manager prior to the start of the 2011/12 season saw a reversal in fortunes for Bosingwa.
In what proved to be his final season at the club, he began confidently, despite a first-half dismissal against QPR last October.
Under Roberto Di Matteo, Bosingwa proved an important member of the squad towards the end of the season, where his experience and versatility rose to the fore.
Bosingwa featured on two massive occasions as injuries and suspensions took their toll.
Firstly, he played at centre-half in the 2-2 Champions League semi-final second leg draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou, before again making that position his own in an FA Cup Final victory against Liverpool.
In a fitting end to his Chelsea career, Bosingwa started at right-back in the Blues’ European Cup Final victory against Bayern Munich, a game which proved to be his last appearance for the club.
Bosingwa played in 126 games for Chelsea, 111 of them from the start, and scored three goals.
Now, an exciting future across West London looms large for the 29 year-old, who - despite recently retiring from international football in November 2011 - has 24 Portugal caps to his name.
Welcome to Loftus Road, Jose.