Queens Park Rangers defender Toni Leistner has joined Cologne on-loan for the rest of the season.

The 29-year-old has moved back to his native Germany to link up with Bundesliga side Cologne.

It comes after a tough spell under Mark Warburton - the ex-Brentford boss hasn't favoured Leistner and tried to move him on in the summer, before stripping him of his captaincy prior to the start of the Championship season.

Leistner is in his second season at the West London club and has 18 months left on his current contract. He's not featured in the German top-flight before but has nearly 150 appearances to his name in the Bundesliga 2 with the likes of Dynamo Dresden and Union Berlin.

He's also seen his starting spot in the heart of the QPR defence go to Conor Masterson - the 21-year-old has won over a lot of fans for his early performances in the first-team, having made his debut in the FA Cup at the start of the month.

Cologne, or FC Koln as their otherwise known, are 17th in the Bundesliga table. They sit three points above the drop zone, and could hand Leistner his debut this weekend against Freiburg.

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The verdict

QPR fan wouldn't have been expecting this news today, and for it all to happen so fast. Leistner is a big part of that side and a presence on and off the pitch. But for whatever reason, Warburton hasn't favoured him and seemed keen to offload him.

The move looks like it could signify the end of Leistner's time at QPR as well, with a permanent summer exit now very much on the cards. QPR fans will miss their 'Big Friendly German', but will wish him well in his Bundesliga voyage.