QPR have announced the signing of Arsenal defender Matthew Connolly and West Ham winger Hogan Ephraim.

The 20 year-old Connolly, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Colchester, has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal at Loftus Road.

"It's very difficult to make the breakthrough at a club like Arsenal, so when QPR made an offer I knew it was the right time to move on," he said.

"Arsenal provided me with a great launch pad, but I need to be playing first-team football at my age and this is a fantastic club for me to pursue my career at.

"I know what the Championship is all about after my spell at Colchester United and I'm delighted to be part of what appears to be a very bright future at this Football Club."

Ephraim was on loan at Loftus Road earlier this season, and has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract with the west Londoners.

"I'm so pleased to be back here. I really enjoyed my time here on loan earlier this season and when the club showed an interest in offering me a permanent deal, I was made up," Ephraim said.

"It's a great time to be at QPR. Big things are going to happen here - the new owners are very ambitious."

The pair are the third and fourth January signings made by boss Luigi De Canio, following the captures of Watford's Gavin Mahon and on-loan Manchester United youngster Kieran Lee.

Preston striker Patrick Agyemang is also set to join the Hoops after being left out of ther squad on New Year's Day.

North End boss Alan Irvine said: "It looks like Patrick will be leaving us.

"He has been made aware of a very good offer from QPR and it's an offer which is out of our league."

On-loan midfielder Akos Buzsaky is also set to rubber-stamp his £500,000 permanent switch from Plymouth Argyle.

Meanwhile, Rowan Vine, Ben Sahar, Bob Malcolm and Jason Jarrett have all left QPR following the end of their loan spells in west London although boss Luigi De Canio is keen to negotiate a permanent deal for Birmingham striker Vine.

TeamTalk / Eurosport