QUEENS Park Rangers’ latest capture Reggie Cannon has told fans he is a versatile defender who also loves to bomb forward on the counter.
The 25-year-old American international was available as a free agent after quitting Portuguese outfit Boavista in the summer following a wage dispute.
Their loss looks to be QPR’s gain after Cannon yesterday put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Loftus Road.
And Cannon is promising Hoops supporters he will not only bring defensive versatility but also plenty of attacking instincts.
The Chicago-born star told the QPR YouTube channel: “I’ve played in a bunch of positions across the backline.
“I love getting forward, I love the ability to defend, I love the ability to do both.
“Gareth (Ainsworth) has expressed to me – which is something that obviously that attracted me to this opportunity – that he views me as getting in behind the backline, being vertical bot also being that strong one v one defender that I am and can be.
“He knows what makes my game my game so I’m really excited.”
Cannon added: “I am a very dynamic player. I’m strong defensively but I love to get forward, I love to be on the counter attack and make those blazing runs behind the line on the overlaps and underlaps as a full-back.
“I think that is something that is my strength as a player. I offer a lot when it comes to that. I think I provide things on both sides of the ball, but in possession and on the counter I am very dangerous.”
The American also revealed Ainsworth’s enthusiasm and personality were big factors in his decision to join the club.
He revealed: “I talked with Gareth, the coach.
“We went over all of the schematics and basically the project he has going and what he thinks my potential is.
“He knew my strengths and weaknesses. He read me inside out. He really thinks he can develop me into a strong player that can contend for things above and beyond what I can comprehend.
“He really gives me confidence and I really think this project that I’ve been implemented into is really going to help me the best I can be.
“I love those types of people (Ainsworth) because I really feel that they can get the best out of me as a person and more so as a player. I really think he knows what makes players tick in the locker room and outside on the field.
“He has a talent of really figuring people out and giving them the best they can be so I’m very excited.”
Cannon is raring to don the famous blue and white hoops for the first time but accepts he may have to be patient.
“I spoke to the medical staff and to the coach as well,” he explained.
“They have a plan implemented for me. I’m obviously ready, I’ve been training, I feel really great.
“But obviously to be in a team setting, to be at the Championship level, to be at the level this club requires, it takes a little bit of time.
“I want to make sure I’m fully fit and fully ready to go before we step on to the field.”
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