QPR agree loan deal for Hammers' Zarate

West Ham United's Mauro Zarate

By Nick Purewal

West Ham forward Mauro Zarate has completed his loan move to QPR for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old Argentine will go straight into contention for QPR's Barclays Premier League trip to Burnley on Saturday.

Rangers boss Harry Redknapp is expected to continue to seek another loan recruit to bolster his frontline in the January window, despite recruiting Zarate.

Zarate admitted he seized the chance to "show what I can do" in the Premier League with QPR, after a frustrating run since joining West Ham last summer.

"I am happy. I need this, I need to play and Queens Park Rangers have given me this chance to show what I can do," said Zarate.

"The Premier League is the best in the world at this moment.

"Does my style suit the Premier League? Maybe. We will see!

"When I met the manager he told me he wanted to sign me for Portsmouth before, but in that moment I went to Lazio. But now I am here and will play for him.

"I will try to do different things with the ball, some skills to make the difference for the team, for me and for the other players. I am fit and I hope I can be involved on Saturday."

Zarate scored two goals in eight appearances for West Ham following his switch from Velez Sarsfield last summer.

The former Lazio and Inter Milan forward made a strong early impression at the Hammers, but has failed to edge his way past Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll in recent weeks.

Redknapp will hope Zarate can boost QPR's goal threat alongside prolific striker Charlie Austin in the Loftus Road club's Premier League survival fight.

"We're really pleased to bring Mauro in. He's a good footballer, someone with great ability who can play as a number 10," said Redknapp.