Cup exits, player departures, new arrivals and another away win in the league – it’s all been going on this week at Oxford United.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Ins and Outs and Ups and Downs
Mills Returns to Everton
On Monday, Oxford winger Stanley Mills returned to Everton after picking up a knee injury in the FA Cup defeat at Coventry.
The 20-year-old, who scored once and added eight assists while on loan from the Toffees, was taken off on a stretcher as the U’s lost 6-2 at the Ricoh Arena.
As a result, the winger has returned to Finch Farm to begin surgery before rehabilitation under the care of Everton medical staff.
Edwards Returns to Ipswich
Shortly after Mills’ departure, Oxford lost another winger as Kyle Edwards returned to his parent club, Ipswich, but continued his rehab at Oxford.
The 25-year-old managed just six appearances for the club before injury took its toll.
Later in the week, he was released by the Championship club, meaning Oxford could sign him on a free when he recovers from injury.
Beadle Seals Sheffield Switch
Oxford then lost a third player of the day as goalkeeper James Beadle joined Sheffield Wednesday.
The Brighton youngster joined the U’s on a season-long loan in the summer but the Seagulls decided to send him to a Championship club for the remainder of the campaign.
The 19-year-old made a big impression with the U’s, playing 28 times in all competitions and keeping nine clean sheets.
On the departure, Oxford head coach Des Buckingham said: “He’s a wonderful young goalkeeper who was entrusted to us from Brighton, and we’re thankful for that.
“Hopefully we’ve shown we’re the type of club that can provide that environment for players to come in, and it’s part of our recruitment strategy to have good young players.
“He was able to show in the short time he was with us what a wonderful goalkeeper he is, and what a bright future he has in front of him.
“It’s a shame to lose him because of the performances he’s played to get us where we are in the table, but the pleasing thing is work has been done in the background by the recruitment team and Ed Waldron.
“We’re very much ready to bring someone in that space, to support the goalkeepers we have here.”
Oxford United Out of Football League Trophy
On Tuesday, Oxford bowed out of a second cup competition in three days with defeat at AFC Wimbledon.
The U’s lost 2-0 at Plough Lane but it gives a depleted Oxford side the chance to regain focus back on the league.
U’s Looking to Sign Chelsea Goalkeeper
Oxford United were looking to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Jamie Cumming as a replacement for James Beadle, according to Alan Nixon.
With Beadle leaving, it left Des Buckingham with veteran Simon Eastwood and the relatively untested Ed McGinty.
The 24-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, is yet to make a senior Chelsea appearance but has spent time on loan at Stevenage, Gillingham and Liam Manning’s MK Dons.
He returned to the Dons last season and won the club’s Player of the Year despite suffering relegation to League Two.
Oxford United Stadium Update
Oxford’s hopes for a new stadium are still on track despite delays, the club have confirmed.
With the lease of the Kassam Stadium expiring in 2026, the U’s are looking to build a new 16,000-seater stadium north of the city.
The club released a statement, which read: “Carefully reviewing the detail and ensuring we get the planning application correct is essential and, based on the extensive response received, this has taken slightly longer than anticipated.
“We have adjusted our designs in response to the consultation and will be releasing these soon. We are committed to delivering a new, modern, sustainable stadium which is a significant community landmark – this is about getting the right facility for everyone.
“The submission of our planning application, along with the release of further details on the updates we’ve made to our plans, will follow in due course. This includes our improved accessibility strategy and news of exciting developments around the club’s net zero ambitions.
“The new 16,000-seater stadium, which will include a 180-bed hotel, conference and event space, along with a health and wellbeing centre, will deliver significant economic and social benefits to Oxfordshire. They include creating new jobs, boosting tourism, improving transport links, enhancing green spaces, and supporting local charities and schools.
‘A successful planning application is a significant milestone and critical to the success of the project. Submitting our application at the earliest opportunity remains the focus of the club and project team. The board and CEO of the club are supporting and driving this project forward as we continue to seek a route to delivery for the 26/27 season.”
Extension for Bennett
The U’s then extended the contract of left-back Joe Bennett until the end of the season.
The 33-year-old, who joined the club as a free agent last month, has filled in well with Greg Leigh out injured.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Buckingham said: “It has worked out extremely well.
“Joe is a top professional and slotted straight into the group and the team.
“People have to remember that he was without a club and hadn’t played for six months so to perform like he has done is credit to the way he looks after himself and the standards he sets.
“I am sure he will play a big part in a successful second half of the season.”
New Attacking Arrival for Oxford United
Oxford United then made their first addition of the January transfer window with the arrival of forward, Tyler Burey.
The 23-year-old was linked with a move to the club in the summer but left Millwall to join Danish side Odense for an undisclosed fee.
The forward, who can play anywhere across the front three, joins the U’s on loan until the end of the season.
Burey netted three goals in 58 appearances during his time at the Den, but 43 of those came as a substitute.
New Deal for U’s Youngster
Tyler Goodrham became the latest Oxford United player to pen a new “long-term” deal with the club.
The 20-year-old, who signed his first professional contract in 2021, is a fan favourite, having come through the academy.
Buckingham said: “He’s a young and exciting player that fits the profile, and he scores goals at important times.
“It’s one thing scoring goals, but he scores at important moments or important times in games.
“They’re very few and far between those types of players, but on top of that, he’s come through our club.
“There may be a time when his growth outgrows us, but I hope that isn’t the case, and I hope we can grow together.
“To have somebody like him and his willingness to continue learning, is the type of player that we want here.
“As a club, we’ve got a long-term plan to be a sustainable Championship club, and hopefully Tyler will play a big part in helping us get there.”
The winger, who has netted six goals in 31 appearances this season, follows Simon Eastwood, Ciaron Brown, Elliott Moore, Stephan Negru and Gatlin O’Donkor in signing new deals this season.
Oxford United Sign New Goalkeeper
Following reports earlier in the week, Oxford then signed Jamie Cumming from Chelsea.
The 24-year-old arrived at Grenoble Road on loan until the end of the season, when he is out of contract at Stamford Bridge.
Midfielder Departs
Alex Gorrin has left Oxford United and signed a deal with League Two strugglers, Forest Green.
The 30-year-old joined the U’s in 2019 and made 118 appearances for the club. However, the Spaniard picked up an ACL injury in an FA Cup tie against Bristol Rovers in November 2021 and struggled to make a comeback.
The midfielder was out of contract last summer but penned a short-term deal until January after recovering from injury.
Oxford Linked With Brentford Winger
Oxford United are one of four clubs that are targeting Brentford winger, Michael Olakigbe, according to Football Insider.
The 19-year-old, who made his Premier League debut earlier this season, has made eight appearances in the top flight so far.
However, the report claims that Thomas Frank is looking to offload the winger to a club in the Football League to help his development.
Championship clubs Swansea and Blackburn, along with the U’s and Derby from League One, are believed to be showing an interest in the former Fulham man.
League Win Over Carlisle
Oxford United bounced back from their two cup defeats with a 3-1 victory on the road at Carlisle.
Mark Harris netted a brace, meaning the Welshman has scored four goals in four games, before Goodrham celebrated his new deal with another sweet strike.
Cumming made his Oxford debut in goal but will be frustrated at conceding a goal after a positive display.
With Portsmouth losing, the U’s are now just four points behind with a game in hand but remain in fifth in League One.
