Queens Park Rangers defender Ossie Kakay will leave the Championship club at the end of his contract, the club have officially confirmed.
The 26-year-old had been an important option during Gareth Ainsworth’s time in charge, making 18 starts in the league. However, after Marti Cifuentes’ appointment, Kakay fell down the pecking order, with his last feature for QPR coming in January as a sub against AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
The academy product’s last league appearance came in a 2-0 loss against Millwall on Boxing Day, where he played the full ninety minutes.
The Spanish coach looked at others in his squad to use at full-back, with Jimmy Dunne and Reggie Cannon getting more action in the back half of the season. Kakay was frequently outside of the Queens Park Rangers squad, often featuring in academy and development games during the run-in.
Cifuentes was asked if the full-back was not part of his plans ahead of a game against Hull City back in April in which he replied [quotes via West London Sport]:
“Well, when you look at the squad and the selections over the last weeks, it’s obviously the case,” said Cifuentes.
“It’s nothing against Ozzie. I will not be the one judging what he has done at the club for many years. He has been proving that he is a very competent player.
“But obviously we are in a situation where there is a lot of competition to get into the squad at right full-back,”
“It was Reggie at the start playing a lot, then since Jimmy came in and started to play in that position he has been doing really well and giving us another dimension in terms of the things he can give to us.”
“I’ve had many highlights but probably scoring at Stoke away was the best.
“To score for the club meant so much.”@OsmanKakay97 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/za5rezyYAd
— QPR FC (@QPR) May 6, 2024
The Sierra Leone international spent over two decades with the club as a product of the academy setup at Loftus Road and scored two goals in over 113 appearances.
Announcing his departure via the club’s official website, the 26-year-old stated:
“I am a local boy so I understand how much this club means to the fans.
“I want to thank them for the support they have given me through the highs and lows. I am forever grateful to have represented their club.”
Writer’s View
Kakay’s time at Queens Park Rangers is now over with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Cifuentes did not rate the defender, opting to use Dunne, Cannon and Aaron Drewe ahead of the 26-year-old upon his arrival in October.
His level is probably at the division below based on his performances, so League One clubs will likely have him on the radar for a free transfer across the summer. Additionally, he was only a rotation option during his time in the QPR first-team, so a move downwards might see him become the first-choice option at right-back wherever he ends up.
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