He's Shittu and they know he is

"Ian's been trying to tie up the deal for some time. He thinks Danny is going to be the new Dean Richards but he reminds me more of Bob Hazell, who was the rock of our defence when me and my brother first started following QPR in the 1970s." Indeed, at 6ft 2ins and over 16 stone, Shittu is an imposing sight for any opposing forward and Winton added: "He is the widest player I have ever met, a huge guy, but he is so softly-spoken and quiet off the field.

"We met him because, although we agreed with Ian Holloway's judgement of him, it does make it easier to part with the money when you know the player really wants to play for QPR."

Shittu admitted he needed to move to gain regular first-team football, having been well down the pecking order at The Valley.

"I will soon be reaching an age when I have to lose the 'promising' tag and I feel I need to be playing first-team football," said the 21-year-old, whom Charlton signed from Carshalton Athletic.

He spent much of last season on loan at Blackpool but it is at Rangers where he has really shown his capabilities.

"Last season I stepped up from the reserve team to League football and it's pleasing for me to be playing in a higher division again this year."

Shittu will return from suspension for Saturday's game against Bury and Winton is hoping he can help Second Division QPR to get back into the First Division before ultimately climbing into the Premiership.

"We grew up supporting QPR as a topflight side and we feel that is where the club belongs," he says.

The Wintons will take a share of any sell-on fee along with Charlton and QPR.

"We pay more money every time Shittu completes 25 games for the club and, although the businessman in me knows that it would be a fantastic deal if a top club came in and offered £5-6 million for him, the fan in me wants him to play the 100 games for us that would mean paying the maximum fee."