sevendayweekender – Queens Park Rangers striker Zan Celar has completed a move to Swiss club Basel for an undisclosed transfer fee. The 27-year-old forward leaves QPR after joining the Championship club from Lugano in 2024. His return to Switzerland gives him an opportunity to continue his career in a league where he previously enjoyed significant goalscoring success.
Celar arrived at QPR after establishing himself in the Swiss Super League with Lugano. Before moving to England, he had already gained experience at senior international level with Slovenia. He represented his country three times at the 2024 European Championship in Germany.
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The striker made 23 appearances for QPR during the 2024-25 campaign. He scored twice in an important victory against Cardiff City during that season. His progress was later disrupted by a hamstring injury, which limited his availability.
Celar subsequently spent the following season on loan in Germany. He joined 2. Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf in search of regular playing opportunities. However, the move did not provide the amount of first-team football he had hoped to secure.
QPR chief executive Christian Nourry acknowledged that Celar experienced a difficult introduction to English football. Nourry said the forward worked hard to adapt to the demands of the league. However, his time in Germany also failed to produce the regular minutes he wanted.
Celar now returns to Switzerland with Basel. The club is one of the country’s established sides and provides the striker with an opportunity to return to a familiar football environment. His previous experience in the Swiss Super League should also help him settle quickly.
Nourry said Celar was keen to move to Germany last season because he wanted a platform to play regularly. However, that opportunity did not translate into sufficient minutes on the pitch. The QPR chief executive believes the move to Basel gives the forward a fresh opportunity.
Basel Give Celar Chance to Rebuild After Difficult QPR Spell
Celar’s move to Basel represents a return to the Swiss league after his spell in England. He joined QPR from Lugano in 2024 after developing a strong reputation in Switzerland. His previous goalscoring record was one of the reasons he arrived in England with significant expectations.
The forward’s first season with QPR included an important contribution against Cardiff City. He scored twice during the victory, demonstrating the finishing ability he had shown in Switzerland. However, a hamstring injury later interrupted his campaign.
His subsequent loan to Fortuna Dusseldorf was intended to provide additional opportunities. Celar wanted regular football after finding it difficult to establish himself in England. However, as Nourry explained, the move ultimately did not result in the playing time the striker wanted.
Basel now offers a different environment for Celar. The Swiss club competes in the same domestic league where he previously finished as the leading scorer. His familiarity with the competition could help him regain the form that made him an attractive signing for QPR.
At 27, Celar remains at an age where he can make a significant contribution at club level. His international tournament experience also provides another layer to his professional background. He has played at the European Championship and competed in several domestic leagues.
His three appearances for Slovenia at Euro 2024 came before his move to QPR. That tournament experience provided exposure to a major international competition. Celar will now focus on rebuilding his club career with Basel.
QPR have not disclosed the financial terms of the transfer. The club has instead confirmed that Celar has completed his move to Switzerland. Basel will hope the striker can reproduce his previous domestic goalscoring form.
For QPR, the transfer brings an end to a period in which Celar struggled to establish a consistent role. His move to Germany last season also failed to provide the desired regular minutes. A permanent departure now allows both player and club to move forward.
