Park says it’s time for new challenge

Park Ji-sung admits it was a tough decision to leave Manchester United after joining QPR — but says it is time for a “new challenge”.

The 31-year-old South Korea international yesterday brought his successful seven-year spell at Old Trafford to an end by joining Rangers for an undisclosed fee believed to be upwards of £2 million.

Park, signed by Alex Ferguson from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, made 203 appearances for United, scoring 27 goals and winning four Premier League titles, three League Cups and the Champions League in 2008.

But the midfielder has opted to move to Rangers, who only escaped relegation on the final day of last season, despite other offers from England, Europe and the Far East.

“It was a very difficult decision, it’s hard to leave such a big club, but QPR showed me what they are trying to be,” he said. “It is time for a new challenge.

“QPR want to be a bigger club, they want to improve and it’s a great challenge. It was a difficult decision but they have great players and they are hungry to get to the next level. It’s not about the money.”

QPR manager Mark Hughes said of Park: “He’s very adept in a number of positions. What he brings to the team is technical ability, a huge work ethic and a winning mentality.

“He understands what it takes to win trophies and to win matches, and I want to take that from Ji and pass it to the rest of the team.

“I said at the end of the season we didn’t want to be in the same position next season and I stand by that, we are in a better place now.”