to the opening of the January transfer window it was revealed that Cardiff had offered a fee of around £300,000 thousand in order to sign Routledge on a permanent deal. The transfer was expected to be completed prior to the clubs FA Cup third round match against Reading on 3 January, but the day before Routledge rejected the deal and was subsequently recalled from his loan spell. Queens Park Rangers On the same day that his loan spell at Cardiff was terminated, Routledge signed a -year contract at fellow Championship club Queens Park Rangers for a fee of £600,000. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Coventry City on 10 January, and scored in his next match against Derby County a week later, where he also assisted the other goal by Mikele Leigertwood. In a League Cup first round tie at Exeter City on 11 August 2009, Routledge scored a second half hat trick in a 5–0 win. Two weeks later, he scored in the next round, a 2–1 home win over Accrington Stanley. Newcastle United On 26 January 2010 Routledge signed for Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee, on a -year deal, and wore the number 10 shirt. He made his debut for Newcastle a day later coming on for Peter Løvenkrands in a 2–0 win over former club Crystal Palace and assisted Nile Ranger for the latter goal. Routledge scored his first goal for Newcastle in the Championship match against Coventry City with a volley from 30 yards, and also won a penalty in a 4–1 win. After winning the Championship with Chris Hughton's Newcastle side, he competed in the Premier League again from August 2010. Queens Park Rangers (loan) On 21 January 2011, Routledge returned to Queens Park Rangers, signing a loan until the end of the season. He made his debut two days later and scored in a 2–1 win over Coventry at Loftus Road. On 25 April Routledge scored the goal to all but seal QPR's place in the Premier League against Hull City. It was reported on 20 April 2011 that Newcastle United had terminated his contract with mutual consent, allowing him to move to QPR permanently, but this was denied by Newcastle. Swansea City On 4 August 2011, Swansea City announced the signing of Routledge on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his competitive debut on 15 August,