The new Championship season has kicked off this week but for Oxford United, it ended in defeat at home against Portsmouth.
However, the U’s have seen the arrival of another new striker and have received some positive stadium news.
Read More: Three Talking Points as Oxford United Lose Against Portsmouth
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: New Striker, Stadium Boost and Championship Defeat
U’s ‘Beat Off’ Opposition to Sign Will Lankshear
On Monday, Telegraph reporter Jason Burt claimed Oxford had “beaten off interest” from a host of clubs to sign Tottenham youngster, Will Lankshear.
The highly-rated 20-year-old striker turned out on loan for West Brom last season but failed to find the back of the net in 11 outings.
Despite that, Lankshear scored once from three Europa League appearances for Spurs and struck 18 goals from 19 in the PL2 the season before, before adding five from four in the playoffs.
Lankshear Joins
The following day, the U’s confirmed the signing of the Spurs youngster.
“This is a really exciting opportunity for me to be joining a great club,” Lankshear said after signing. “I learned so much last season in the first team at Tottenham and West Brom and I’m ready to now kick on with Oxford United.
“I’ve had some really good conversations with the manager, and I feel like this is the right place for me to be.
“I love nothing more than scoring goals. I want to do my best to bring as many as I can this season.
“My game is about more than just goals though. I’m a player that has taken all the information from the top professionals I’ve worked with and I’m now ready to bring it together, work hard for the team and deliver for the club.”
Head coach, Gary Rowett, said: “Will is an athletic, strong, quick goalscorer and someone who we feel can make an immediate impact.
“He has an outstanding record at youth level with club and country. He knows the way to goal, and we hope he can add those qualities to our team.
“With Nik Prelec and Will added to the squad in recent days, we are really pleased with the work that has been done to strengthen the forward line for the new season.”
Stadium Boost
On Wednesday, the club received a significant boost in their hope to begin work on a new stadium.
A report published by the Cherwell planning team will be reviewed by the planning committee, and states that the application is recommended for approval.
If the planning committee agrees with the recommendations of the report, then the application will be referred to the Secretary of State.
A statement read: “Oxford United can confirm that the Cherwell District Council committee meeting to determine our new stadium planning application will take place on Thursday 14 August.
“The report by Cherwell’s Planning Team, which was published today and will be reviewed at Planning Committee, is recommending that Councillors approve our plans.
“If the Planning Committee agree with the recommendations of the report, the application will then be referred to the Secretary of State – a standard procedure for an application of this scale.
Jonathon Clarke, Development Director at Oxford United, said: “This is a significant and positive step towards our goal of building a world-class venue that safeguards the Club’s future.
“We now have confirmation of when the Planning Committee will meet and look forward to them hopefully endorsing the positive recommendation made by their professional officers.”
U’s Lose Against Portsmouth
Oxford began the 2025/26 Championship campaign with a home defeat against Portsmouth.
Rowett handed debuts to Brodie Spencer and Will Lankshear with both players putting in a decent display but the visitors scored the only goal of the game seven minutes before the break following a rare mistake from Cameron Brannagan.
The U’s had late chances but we’re unable to find the back of the net at Grenoble Road.
