Queens Park Rangers forward Zan Celar has joined Fortuna Düsseldorf on a season-long loan after a difficult debut year in English football.
The Slovenian international, who signed from Swiss club Lugano in 2024, struggled to establish himself at Loftus Road and will now look to rebuild his form in the German second tier.
Loan Move Confirmed
The 26-year-old has signed for the 2. Bundesliga side after making 22 appearances in his first season with QPR, scoring twice in a 2–0 win at Cardiff City last November. Celar’s campaign was curtailed by a hamstring injury in December, and he did not return to action before the end of the season.
Having recovered, he featured in the opening two Championship fixtures of the current campaign, but manager Julien Stéphanhas sanctioned the move to give him regular minutes elsewhere. Düsseldorf, who narrowly missed out on promotion last term, will hope the striker’s arrival can aid their push for a return to the Bundesliga.
From Slovenia to Shepherd’s Bush
Celar began his senior career at Maribor before joining Roma in 2017. Loan spells with Cittadella and Cremonese in Serie B followed, before a successful stint with Lugano in Switzerland where he scored 40 goals in 95 league appearances. He also won the Swiss Cup in 2022, scoring in the final against St Gallen, and was the league’s top scorer in 2023–24.
That form earned him a move to QPR last summer, but the transition to Championship football has been far from straightforward. Despite showing flashes of his ability – including the double at Cardiff just days after missing a crucial penalty against Stoke City – he struggled for consistency in West London.
QPR’s Striking Options
With Celar now out on loan, Julien Stéphan still has a number of attacking options. Michael Frey and young prospect Rayan Kolli remain part of the squad, while the summer arrivals of Rumarn Burrell and Richard Kone have strengthened competition up front. The manager will be hoping the reshaped forward line can provide the goals required to keep the club clear of danger this season.
Celar, who has 17 senior international caps for Slovenia, will be aiming to rediscover the form that made him one of the most prolific forwards in Switzerland before making his move to England. Regular football in Germany could yet prove decisive in reviving his QPR career when he returns next summer.
Writer’s View
This move feels like a sensible step for all parties. QPR avoid carrying an out-of-form striker in their squad while giving Celar the chance to reset in a competitive European league. For Düsseldorf, it represents a low-risk opportunity to bring in a proven goalscorer at a good level, one who has previously thrived when given responsibility. If Celar can stay fit and recapture the sharpness he showed in Switzerland, QPR may yet reap the rewards when he returns.
