Yoann Barbet has penned an emotional message to QPR fans to confirm his Loftus Road departure after three years with the Championship club. 

Barbet joined the R's on a free transfer from west London rivals Brentford in 2019, early on in Mark Warburton's tenure, and has been a dependable defensive option ever since – making 121 appearances in total and missing just five league games in the past two seasons.

The 29-year-old's contract expired at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and the W12 outfit confirmed in their retained list last month that talks were ongoing with the centre-back over a potential new deal.

However, Barbet took to Twitter yesterday to reveal that no such agreement had been come to and announce that he would be leaving the club with an emotional message to supporters.

Barbet's confirmed exit came just five days after Michael Beale was appointed as Warburton's replacement.

Beale left his role as Steven Gerrard's assistant at Aston Villa to take charge at Loftus Road – in what is his first role in first team management.

The Verdict

Barbet has been a fantastic servant to QPR over the past three years and his emotional message to announce his departure shows just what the west London club has meant to him.

There will be some R's fans questioning why the 29-year-old, who has been a regular fixture in the side since his arrival from Brentford, was not given a contract extension.

It's unclear whether Beale has played a role in the decision but you'd imagine the new manager would at least have had some say.

He is believed to favour a back four while the French defender's strengths are certainly better suited to a back three, which may well have played a part in the decision-making process.

Barbet shouldn't be short of Championship options assuming he wants to remain in the division.