After being cut loose by Portsmouth, defender Joe Oastler has won a deal at QPR.

Oastler was a star at the Premier League exit trials and sparked a 13-club chase for his signature.

Among them were Rangers, Southampton and Hull while former England manager Glenn Hoddle wanted him to join his Spanish Academy.

But it's QPR who won the central defender's vote, awarding him a one-year professional deal.

He told the Portsmouth News: "Obviously I was upset after being released by Pompey, but there was no way I was going to give up.

"I'd been with them since the age of eight, I'd had a season ticket for eight years, I live two minutes from Fratton Park. I support them and I always will - they are my team. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, that's how football is, but I was determined not to let that stop me.

"There were 60 lads who went to the exit trials in Warwick and I knew I had no choice - I had to perform otherwise I would not have got anywhere. You only have two 40-minute games to impress in as well, but fortunately it worked out and 13 clubs came in for me.

"Glenn Hoddle rang me up personally - I thought it was my mates winding me up. But I wanted a pro contract and QPR were the first club that came in for me. I was upset when I was released from Pompey but I'm definitely happy now."