Departing Padula thanks QPR fans
Gino Padula has thanked QPR fans after leaving the club.
Padula, whose contract had expired, joined Nottingham Forest last week after three years at Loftus Road.
The Argentine said: "I want to say goodbye and thank you to the QPR fans - thank you so much. It's important to me that they know I am very grateful.
"I had a great relationship with the fans and I will always remember that. Because of them I am really hoping QPR win promotion to the Premiership."
Padula became a cult hero at Rangers having initially looked unlikely to make an impact.
He was criticised by manager Ian Holloway soon after being signed and barely featured before injuries to team-mates handed him a starting place.
"It was the supporters that kept me in the team in my first season when I hadn't been playing," Padula added.
"At the time I thought I wouldn't be at QPR for long. I was very unhappy and it was a tough time for me.
"Then I got into the team and the fans were so good to me. They chanted my name and when you have that kind of support you keep playing and become more confident.
"I will never forget that. It's why when we lost in the play-offs and my contract was up, I wanted to stay at QPR even though there were First Division clubs interested in me.
"I want QPR fans to know I will miss them very much."
