Queens Park Rangers have bolstered their squad for their foray into Premier League action next season with the signing of England international striker Jay Bothroyd in a three-year deal.

The 29-year-old has been a free agent since leaving Championship outfit Cardiff City at the end of the season but has now become QPR manager's Neil Warnock's first off-season signing.

Bothroyd's move marks a return to Rangers for the striker, who was with the with the club's centre of excellence from the age of nine before moving to Arsenal.

"I spoke to the manager and he told me how much he wanted me," Bothroyd told the club's official website.

"He convinced me that this was the right place to be. He told me the direction that he wants to go in and the way he wants to play. I think this club is heading in the right direction and has got a lot of ambition."

Bothroyd, who made his England debut last season following an impressive campaign with Cardiff, admits the prospect of Premier League football was something he could not turn down.

"I want to be playing against the best players in the world," he added.

"I got a taste of that when I joined up with the England squad, and hopefully I can do well for QPR and get back into the squad.

"People say that I'm a 'one-cap wonder' and I want to get that second cap to put that to bed.

"You want to play at the highest level and the only way to do that is by producing for your club week in, week out. That's what I'm looking to do."

Bothroyd's signature marks a change in fortunes for manager Warnock, who has been thwarted in his attempts to bring in reinforcements so far this summer.

But despite his frustrations, Warnock says he is delighted to finally get his man.

"In bringing Jay in, we have managed to secure an excellent player which augers well for the forthcoming campaign," said the QPR boss.

"We have been chasing him for a number of weeks and it has been frustrating at times.

"We have had to have a lot of patience with this but, as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait.

"We are now working hard to add another new face to the squad and we hope to have that done very soon."