QPR boss Julien Stephan at Watford.placeholder image
QPR boss Julien Stephan at Watford. | Getty Images
The former Newcastle United midfielder is expected to secure a move to the Championship over the coming weeks.
The 30-year-old hadn’t played for the Magpies since December 2021 and has not been a part of Eddie Howe’s plans in recent seasons. Even with Newcastle United struggling in the transfer window, that was not expected to change anytime soon.
Hayden still had another 12 months left on the lengthy six-year contract he signed in the North East in 2020 but that deal was terminated this summer to allow the player to seek a move as a free agent.
QPR backed to secure Isaac Hayden transfer
Since then transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said that ‘Championship and European clubs’ were ‘already considering’ offering the player a contract following his release. West Brom had been linked with the player in January before his move to Portsmouth but it is other Championship sides that are viewed as frontrunners now.
A graduate of the Arsenal academy, Hayden made two appearances for the Gunners and joined Newcastle United in 2016. A statement from the club earlier this month read: “Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has departed the club as a free agent.
“The 30-year-old joined the Magpies in 2016 after starting his professional career with Arsenal and, during his time at St. James' Park, the midfielder made 171 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Hayden open to Loftus Road return
Most recently, he spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan with Championship side Pompey after spells with Standard Liège and Queens Park Rangers during the last campaign. Everyone at the club thanks Isaac for his efforts while with Newcastle United and wishes him well for the future.”
Hayden spent the back end of the 2023/24 season on loan at QPR and played an important role under Marti Cifuentes as the R’s fought off relegation. The midfielder made 17 appearances for the west London outfit and QPR had been linked with a permanent swoop for the player since the end of that loan deal last year.
Hayden had spoken of his willingness to return to QPR when at Loftus Road. In the April of that campaign, he said: "Things move quickly in football and you move on. But it's a situation where myself and the club will have to sit down in the summer and discuss what they want to do. I had to take a pay cut to go to QPR, which I was happy to do for the last few months of the season, to get games. But it’ll be back to square one in the summer but hopefully I can help keep QPR up and would love to stay here if possible."
In other news, QPR 'still working on' attacker deal as manager makes Charlton 'target' available for transfer.
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