Football-Mancienne puts pen to paper with QPR |01 August 2007

Mancienne, who holidayed here with his Seychellois parents in late June after having performed so admirably for QPR last season, played in QPR’s first win (1-0) of the pre-season against Wycombe on Monday at Adams Park.

 A composed centre-back by trade, Mancienne, who has captained England at Under-18 level, was loaned to QPR in the Championship last season and impressed during his seven-month loan period at Loftus Road.

The braided 19-year-old defender, who joined Premier League side Chelsea on a full-time contract in 2006, was runner-up in the Supporters’ Young Player of the Year category last season and made 30 appearances in all competitions for QPR during the 2006/2007 season.

He is one of seven players signed by manager Gregory this season and the team’s first league match is against Seychelles-born Kevin Betsy’s Bristol City on August 11.

Three of the new signing are England’s Under-21 goalkeeper Lee Camp from Derby, 19-year-old midfielder Simon Walton who played for Charlton Athletics in the Premier League last season and 17-year-old Israeli international Ben Sahar.

It is worth noting that while in Seychelles, Mancienne, described by his manager, John Gregory as one of “England and Chelsea's brightest young talents”, told Sports Nation in an interview that if he doesn’t play for England’s senior squad when he is 25 years old, he will definitely play for Seychelles.

After completing Mancienne’s loan swoop, Gregory had this to say about the defender:
"Michael had an outstanding period with us last season. I would like to pay a special debt of gratitude to Chelsea for allowing Michael to continue his footballing education with us."

G. G.