Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Queens Park Rangers star Jamie Mackie.
The 27-year-old striker or winger has penned a three year contract with the Reds. He becomes the second signing in 24 hours, following the capture of Djamel Abdoun from Olympiakos.
Born in Dorking, Mackie began his career at non-league Leatherhead before moving to Wimbledon in 2003.
He was part of the Wimbledon side that rebranded as Milton Keynes Dons in 2004, but he left the club the following year.
Mackie headed south to Exeter City, where over three seasons he established himself as the club's top scorer. He was voted December 2007's Blue Square Premier player of the month.
Desperate to break into the Championship with Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle, in January 2008 the 14-goal striker handed in his official transfer request.
The Pilgrims had by that point made two bids for Mackie, both rejected by Exeter. The striker/winger had also attracted interest from other league clubs Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town.
It was third time lucky for Plymouth, who at the end of January 2008 signed Mackie for an initial fee of £145,000 with add-ons.
Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock said of Mackie: "He's an exciting talent that just needs to be nurtured a wee bit.
"I'm not expecting him to come charging into the team but if you talk to Jamie he's going to be playing next Saturday and that's the kind of attitude I want to bring to this side."
Mackie got off to a flying start – he scored within 11 seconds of his arrival on the pitch during his first ever appearance for Plymouth Argyle.
Coming on as a substitute against Barnsley in February 2008, Mackie broke the record held by Tony Witter for the fastest goal scored for Plymouth Argyle on a debut. He went on to net a second goal later in the match.
Fast-forward two years and Mackie was reported to have caught the eye of a number of clubs, including Derby, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.
By May 2010 QPR's Neil Warnock confirmed he was considering a bid for 24-year-old Mackie. The boss told The Herald: "He's one of a number of players we are looking at. Other than that, I haven't got anything else to say on the subject."
Just days later, the signing was confirmed. Mackie penned a four-year contract at Loftus Road, after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
"I'm really pleased to get him in," said Warnock. "Obviously with my connections down there, he's a player I've seen, heard and read a lot about. He was a stand-out striker for them this season.
"He's full of enthusiasm and when I first met him there was nothing else on his mind other than playing for QPR."
Adored by fans for what QPR described as "his tireless performances", Mackie made an excellent impression during his first season at Loftus Road.
He scored nine league goals in a campaign that ended in promotion, and in September 2010 was handed his first Scotland call-up.
A few months later, in January 2011, Mackie was ruled out of action with a double leg break sustained during a FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. He did not return to training until September.
Mackie's first international goal since breaking his leg came in November, and in May 2012 he signed a one-year extension to his QPR contract.
The 26-year-old, who scored eight goals in 36 appearances that season, told the club's official website: "To be a part of the long-term future of the club is an aim of mine and I'm really happy.
"Now we've stayed up, I think next season could be a really big one for QPR. It's really exciting times."
But little more than a year later, finding first-team opportunities limited at Loftus Road, Mackie handed in a transfer request.
The striker/winger, who has scored 18 goals in 94 appearances for the Championship club, saw his request reluctantly accepted.
Mackie was capped nine times by Scotland and started 17 Premier League matches last season.
