YOANN Barbet joined QPR on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Brentford, where he spent four years.

The centre-back’s footballing career began in the youth ranks of Bordeaux in France’s top flight. He joined the Ligue 1 outfit as a 14-year-old and spent seven years with them, featuring for their reserve side for three seasons in the fourth tier of French football.

Barbet moved to Ligue 2 outfit Chamois Niortais in the summer of 2014 and made a total of 33 appearances, scoring twice, before departing after one year for pastures new.

It was Championship-side Brentford who came calling, agreeing a four-year deal with the 6ft 2in defender for an undisclosed fee.

His arrival at Griffin Park came shortly after the departure of now-QPR boss Mark Warburton, who was instilled at Glasgow Rangers when Barbet was unveiled at Brentford.

Barbet had to be patient to work his way into the Bees line up, but once he secured his spot in their side mid-way through the 2015/16 campaign he became a regular for the remainder of the season.

He made 19 appearances in his first term at Brentford and 25 in 2016/17. In 2017/18, Barbet featured 37 times under Dean Smith and showed his versatility as he was used as a centre-back and left back.

Last season, Barbet featured as a left-back as well as a left-sided centre-back and again made 37 appearances in all competitions.

Barbet turned down a new contract offer in summer 2018 and instead elected to move across west London and become an R.

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