Another busy week for Oxford United with a star player linked with a move, two new deals and international exposure.
Read More: Ciaron Brown Signs New Long-Term Oxford United Contract
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: New Deals, International Duty and Transfer Rumours
Brannagan Linked With Move Away
Three Championship clubs are “fighting” to sign Oxford midfielder, Cameron Brannagan, according to EFL Analysis.
The 29-year-old, who joined the U’s in January 2018, is of interest to Sheffield United, Leicester City and Stoke City as per the report.
Despite injury, the midfielder turned out 33 times for Oxford in their first Championship season for 25 years.
Eastwood Pens New Deal
Simon Eastwood took to social media to announce he had signed a new one-year deal with the club.
The 35-year-old, who turns 36 later this month, is Oxford’s third-choice goalkeeper behind Jamie Cumming and Matt Ingram but wasn’t registered last season, with his most recent appearance coming back in February 2024.
Eastwood joined the U’s in 2010 and returned to the club in 2016, where he has turned out 288 times.
Findlay Finally Leaving Oxford United?
After penning a four-year deal back in 2022, it looks as though Stuart Findlay is set for a third successive season-long loan away from the club.
The 29-year-old has spent the last two seasons at former club Kilmarnock but looks to be staying in Scotland with Hearts.
International Round-Up
Mark Harris got 30 minutes for Wales in a seven-goal thriller against Belgium.
The Red Dragons were three goals inside 30 minutes but had pulled it back to 3-2 before Harris came on. Shortly after, Wales levelled.
However, they conceded an 88th-minute goal from Kevin De Bruyne to miss out on a vital point.
Ole Romeny made a start against Japan in their final World Cup qualifier but was on the receiving end of a 6-0 thumping.
Despite the result, Indonesia have progressed through the group but need to get through the playoffs to reach the finals.
Greg Leigh was an unused substitute as Jamaica won 3-0 against Guatemala. The defender watched from the stand as the Reggae Boyz made it four wins from four in their World Cup qualifier.
U’s Linked With European Midfielder
Oxford and Blackburn have shown interest in Heracles Almelo midfielder, Brian De Keersmaecker, according to De Telegraaf.
The 25-year-old, who has represented Belgium at youth levels, turned out 31 times last season, scoring five and adding three assists.
He joined from Eindhoven for a reported fee of €400,00 two seasons ago.
Defender Pens Long-Term Deal
Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown has committed his future to the club after signing a new long-term deal.
The 27-year-old was set to see his previous deal expire next summer and after an impressive campaign in the Championship, it’s a relief to tie him down for the future.
The Northern Ireland international started 41 times in the league last season and won both the Player’s Player and Supporter’s Player of the Season
Having joined initially on loan from Cardiff in 2022, the defender joined on a permanent basis later in the summer. He has played 158 times for the U’s, scoring 12 goals.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “The club is in the same mindset as I am. I want to keep improving and I can see the club is growing on and off the pitch.
“I think I can go to another level. I had a good year last season, but there are new goals, and I feel we can take a massive step forward.
“I love this club. The minute I walked in here, I felt the backing from the fans and the people in the building. We are a close group as a club, and this makes me feel more comfortable to go out onto the pitch.
“I now want to finish as high up in the table. I don’t want to have the same ambitions as the season before. I’m here for the foreseeable future and I want to continue to grow with the club.”
Head of Football, Ed Waldron, said: “Over three-and-a-half years, Ciaron has shown how important he is to this club. At each step, he has continued to improve as a player and last year he was one of the outstanding defenders in the Championship.
“When we sat down as a football department to discuss targets for the new season, we were clear that signing Ciaron to an improved deal would be a primary focus. Ciaron was exceptional last season, but we are confident that there is much more to come.
“Ciaron shares the same ambitions for the club as we do. We are excited to move forward with him in our side.”
