Queens Park Rangers completed the signing of Lucas Andersen at the start of this week.
The Championship side were able to secure his services out of the window after Danish side AaB Fodbold terminated his contract. This move has seen the 29-year-old reunite with his former manager, Martí Cifuentes, at QPR.
Tipsbladet interviewed the QPR manager and the focus was only on the English club’s new signing.
Cifuentes was at AaB for over a year between 2021 and 2022, before joining Hammarby. During his time with the former, he managed the former Denmark international.
It’s explained that the Spaniard gave his ‘warmest recommendation’ when the possibility of bringing the attacking midfielder to QPR was proposed to him.
On the London club’s decision to sign Andersen, he said: “I’ve always been a great admirer of Lucas, who has been a significant player in Danish football for many years.
“When I came to AaB, he was on his way back from a long injury break, but when he got ready, he immediately performed at a high level.
Since December 2020, the Dane has missed 443 days due to two serious injuries. The coach boss has backed him to impress for QPR and explained why it’s not worth focusing on his injury record or recent form for AaB.
“You shouldn’t evaluate a player based on the past three months. Much also depends on the situation in the club,” Cifuentes explained.
“AaB are playing in the second tier now and are working on a completely new project with a different way of playing. I know Lucas’ qualities and that’s what I focus on. I know that if he reaches his top level, he can be a huge player for us.”
“He had some bad injuries earlier in his career, but he’s been injury-free for 18 months now, and when he’s fit, he’s one of the best players in Danish football. I don’t think it makes sense to compare 17-year-old Andersen to the 29-year-old player he is now.”
Andersen is a product of AaB’s academy and had two spells with their senior team, and the QPR manager isn’t surprised with his love for the Danish club.
“Lucas has a huge love for AaB and for Aalborg, and I am sure that both the club and the city will always speak highly of him. I’m sure he will still follow the club closely and cheer for AaB’s return to the Superliga,” he added.
