Elijah Dixon-Bonner has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract with Queens Park Rangers, the West London club announced on their official website.
The 23-year-old moved to Loftus Road in October 2022 following a seven-year spell at Liverpool, and after a promising first two seasons with QPR has now extended his stay.
Speaking to the club’s website, Dixon-Bonner stated… “I’m really happy.
“I am very settled here. I have a good relationship with everyone, and most importantly I have a good relationship with the fans, so I am very happy to extend my stay.”
The midfielder made 26 appearances in all competitions last season for the R’s.
Dixon-Bonner to continue development at Loftus Road
Having begun his youth career in the ranks at Arsenal, Dixon-Bonner moved to Liverpool in 2015 where he was part of the FA Youth Cup winning squad in the 2018/19 season.
He signed his first professional contract in 2018, but made just two substitute appearances for the Reds before being released in June 2022.
QPR signed him up after a successful trial, and it looks to have been a beneficial move for both parties given the news of a new long-term contract for the midfielder. He still has plenty of developing to do, but has shown promising signs that he can become a viable midfield option for manager Martí Cifuentes going forward.
QPR bolstering options for next season
Given their precarious financial situation, QPR are not a club that has the luxury of spending big-money on transfers, therefore keeping hold of their own players is vital for the club’s progression.
They have already announced the departures of Albert Adomah, Andre Dozzell, Osman Kakay and Aaron Drewe who all struggled for first-team minutes last season, but the club clearly view Dixon-Bonner as a player who can contribute next season and beyond.
The news of Dixon-Bonner’s new contract comes four days after the club announced the renewal of Joe Walsh’s contract, the backup goalkeeper who had an impressive performance in QPR’s 2-1 win over Coventry City on the final day of the season.
Dixon-Bonner to play a bigger role next season?
Dixon-Bonner saw his minutes decrease from February onwards following the arrival of Isaac Hayden, who joined on loan from Newcastle United in January and formed a formidable midfield partnership with both Jack Colback and Sam Field.
However, with Hayden set to return to Newcastle this summer and his high wages potentially proving to be a stumbling block for a permanent move to Loftus Road, could this open the door for Dixon-Bonner to stake his claim for a place in starting 11 next season?
Looking ahead to the new season, the midfielder said: “I want to have a big impact. I am a very ambitious person. I don’t just want to play a role. I want to play a pivotal role.
“I have got a lot of work to do and I’m still learning a lot, but I am not going to shy away from that.
“Now is the time to show the fans the player that I believe I can be.”