Queens Park Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Arsenal youngster Matthew Connolly.

The 20 year-old has penned a three-and-a-half year deal with the R's, after the two Clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

 "It's very difficult to make the breakthrough at a Club like Arsenal, so when QPR made an offer I knew it was the right time to move on," Connolly told www.qpr.co.uk.

"Arsenal provided me with a great launch pad, but I need to be playing first team football at my age and this is a fantastic Club for me to pursue my career at.

"I know what the Championship is all about after my spell at Colchester United and I'm delighted to be part of what appears to be a very bright future at this Football Club."

Connolly, who spent the first part of the 2007/08 season on loan at Championship rivals Colchester United, is a product of the successful Arsenal academy.

After working his way through the academy system at the North London Club, Connolly was named as captain of the Gunners' Reserve side in September 2006, before he was handed his First Team debut against West Bromwich Albion in the Carling Cup a month later.

After impressing whilst on loan at Layer Road this season, Connolly received his first call up to Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad in November.

Connolly will wear squad number 16.