Despite playing in all but one of QPR’s 2024/25 matches, goalkeeper Paul Nardi only made 17 appearances last season, and played only one other match this year. The 31-year-old Frenchman played his last game for the R’s in their 2-3 home defeat to Derby in April, having not appeared since New Year’s 2-1 home defeat to Norwich.
Rumours had been circulating that Nardi wanted out amidst his absence, which were confirmed when he was released by the club at the end of the season. Leaving alongside him was veteran goalkeeper Ben Hamer, who was signed on a short term contract last September.
Joe Walsh was the main man between the sticks last season, with the club seemingly pushing to make him the number one choice, but having kept only four clean sheets, it’s become abundantly clear a new keeper is needed.
Here are five potential goalkeeper replacements that the Hoops should consider signing.
Twenty four-year-old Sam Tickle has already proved himself in the EFL with Wigan Athletic in League One, and is ready for the step up. Named Wigan’s Player of the Year in his debut season, 2023/24, the young goalie is renowned for his shot stopping at The Tics, with a 67.7% save percentage last campaign, in the top 10 highest in the league.
A promising young talent, with an estimated price tag of around £1.2m, Tickle would be a great investment for a club that has struggled recently to find a consistent, long-term keeper.
The latest transfer chatter reports that QPR are interested in a move for Ivan Nevistic from Dynamo Zagreb, champions of the HNL (the Croatian Football League) last season. The 27-year-old has made 59 appearances for Zagreb in the top flight, including three title wins, over four seasons, playing 18 games across all competitions in 2025/26.
Nevistic has faced competition for the number one spot, and the loan signing of Dominik Livacovic in January didn’t help his situation. Although no formal deal has yet to be made, it seems that the Croatian is willing to trade Europa League for Championship football.
Former Denmark U21 international Andreas Jungdal, currently at Belgian Pro league club K.V.C. Westerlo, is another option, priced at an estimate of just under £1m. At 24-years-old, he was a consistent starter last season, playing 40 matches, and this sort of reliability and potential for longevity is exactly what the Hoops are in need of.
During his early years at AC Milan, Jungdal was an exciting prospect, for his explosive style and impressive distribution. He also acted as a sweeper keeper for Westerlo 88.6% of the time last campaign. With the potential to represent Denmark in the future, this could be a very impactful signing.
After facing first team competition and eventually falling out of favour at Sunderland in their first season back in the Premier League, longstanding homegrown keeper Anthony Patterson was loaned out to Millwall for the second half of last season.
A proven Championship goalie, part of Sunderland’s promotion winning campaign and keeping seven clean sheets in his 14 games with Millwall, Patterson is already being eyed-up by other Championship outfits. With him looking to leave Wearside permanently rather than on loan again this summer, competition will be rampant despite being linked to QPR back in January.
For a more experienced choice, to add to a squad that already has the youngest average age starting lineup, West Brom’s Max O’Leary could be a sensible shout. Having served Bristol City for 18 years (bar a few loans) since his youth, he joined the Baggies on a short-term deal this January.
His current contract ends on June 30th, but has been offered a new contract which he has yet to accept. If he does become a free agent, this could be a great signing to provide competition for Joe Walsh.
A dependable goalie is one of the most important signings QPR will have to make in preparation for the next season, and with manager Julien Stephan’s reign already under pressure, it is vital that whoever becomes the new keeper is a keeper.
