From the Car Park to eBay - QPR To Auction Iconic Deadline Day Moment In A Shirt

The Greatest Transfer That Never Was

As deadline day moments go, I don’t think any are as iconic as Peter Odemwingie’s dramatic transfer saga back in the January transfer window of 2013.

We’ll have a look at who Peter Odemwingie is and how on earth his deadline drama came about.

So who is Peter Odemwingie?

Peter Odemwingie is a retired professional footballer; he is best known for his time in the Premier League with West Brom and when he represented his country, Nigeria.

He played most of his games as a centre forward but also ended up on the right wing as well. He played a total of 523 games across his career for club and country; in that time, he found the back of the net 146 times; 11 of those goals were for Nigeria.

Across his career he played for a vast number of clubs, ranging from Lokomotiv Moscow, West Bromwich Albion, Lille, Stoke City, La Louviere, Madura United and some more.

He played in two World Cups for his country (2010 and 2014); he also scored the only goal in Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2014 World Cup to give them their first win of the group stages and the country’s first win at a World Cup since 1998.

📆 OnThisDay in 2014: Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal to give Nigeria a victory that sent World Cup debutants Bosnia OUT of the competition.

The Stoke forward struck in the first half to give Nigeria their first win at a WC finals since 1998. pic.twitter.com/YfO6TD5y0T

— Complete Football 247 (@Completefoot247) June 22, 2024

Can’t Park There, Peter

Now let's dive into his moment in the spotlight during that transfer window. QPR had brought in a multitude of players that season; the likes of Christopher Samba, Loïc Rémy and Stéphane Mbia had all been added to Harry Redknapp's squad, but they were looking to bolster the squad even more. In comes Mr Odemwingie.

With hours left of the window, rumours started flying about that Peter Odemwingie could be making the move from the midlands down to London; however, as the clock was ticking, the clubs couldn’t come to an agreement, as West Brom wanted Junior Hoilett on loan and the saga looked like it was over before it even started, until…

Odemwingie took the initiative to drive down and make his own way to Loftus Road; he parked up outside the ground, much to everyone’s shock and was met by a handful of reporters, where he was fully convinced him being there would speed up the deal and get it over the line.

Despite his best efforts, time ran out, and Odemwingie remained a West Brom come midnight. The whole thing was a massive mix-up and lack of communication from everyone; Peter believed the deal was all but done but it turned out no agreement was in place between both clubs and, in the end, made himself look like a bit of a fool.

📂Deadline Day
└📁 QPR
└📁 Failed Transfers
└📁 Peter Odemwingie pic.twitter.com/KFRCgdbXzg

— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) August 30, 2024

Up For Auction

Now just yesterday (10th December 2025), QPR announced via their social media accounts that after 12 years they are putting the very shirt that Peter Odemwingie would have held up had the move gone through up for auction; as of right now, it has just over seven days left and the current bid is £550.

The Deadline Day transfer that 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 was 🤯

We had the shirt printed to announce Peter Odemwingie's signing in January 2013 👕

... only for it never to be needed! 🤷‍♂️

Some 13 years later it's available on our new auction site QPR Bid, launching 𝗡𝗢𝗪! 🚨

— QPR FC (@QPR) December 10, 2025

Who knows what the final total will be but it’s a very smart and funny way to finally get rid of the shirt. It’d make a great collector’s item, that’s for sure so whoever wins it has a unique 1/1 football shirt that comes with a great story.