Oxford began the month with their tenth summer signing, Matt Phillips. The 33-year-old joined the club as a free agent after leaving West Brom in the summer, having spent eight seasons with the Baggies.
The U’s quickly added another winger with the arrival of Crystal Palace man, Malcolm Ebiowei. The 20-year-old joined the U’s on a season-long loan.
Oxford were then handed an injury blow with striker Will Goodwin ruled out for a “minimum of six weeks”. As a result, the 22-year-old could be sidelined for eight of Oxford’s opening fixtures.
Des Buckingham’s side then took to the field for the first time and put in an impressive display with a 2-0 win over Norwich. Goals from Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan were enough to give the U’s the perfect start to life back in the second tier.
The U’s then progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Peterborough. First half goals from Tyler Goodrham and debutant Matt Phillips was enough to secure the win at Grenoble Road. Oxford would face Coventry in the second round at the Ricoh Arena.
Sticking with Coventry, the U’s faced them in the league but conceded a stoppage time goal to lose 3-2 at the Ricoh Arena. Oxford came from behind twice with goals from Ciaron Brown and Mark Harris but there was late heartbreak despite the best efforts from Jamie Cumming.
Oxford then added another signing with the arrival of Indonesia international, Marselino Ferdinan. The 19-year-old winger has scored three times from 26 appearances for his county.
Des Buckingham then made another addition with the arrival of Dutch right back, Hidde ter Avest, following his exit from FC Utrecht.
Marcus McGuane was the first high profile player to depart, with the midfielder joining Championship rivals, Bristol City. The 25-year-old played 153 times for the U’s, scoring three goals.
Back to matters on the field, the U’s then lost on the road at Blackburn. Mark Harris netted a goal-of-the-season contender but the hosts levelled immediately after, before adding the winner late on.
Oxford then bowed out of the Carabao Cup with defeat at Coventry. A deflected effort in the second half was enough to knock a much changed U’s side out.
Striker Mark Harris was then called up to the Wales squad after scoring three goals in the opening three league games. The 25-year-old hold earn his first cap since June 2022 when Wales host Turkey in a UEFA Nations League clash before visiting Montenegro three days later.
Defender Ciaron Brown, summer signing Marselino Ferdinan and full-back Greg Leigh were also called up to represent Northern Ireland, Indonesia and Jamaica respectively.
The final permanent signing came when the U’s brought in Siriki Dembele. The winger became the club’s most expensive transfer after joining from Birmingham.
Deadline day began with Gatlin O’Donkor joining Bristol Rovers on a season long loan. It always looked likely that the 19-year-old forward would depart the club in the summer.
There was a second departure on deadline day as summer signing Jack Currie joined Leyton Orient on loan. However, the U’s have an option to recall the 22-year-old in January.
The U’s then made their first deadline day signing with the arrival of 20-year-old centre back, Ben Nelson. The defender joined the club on a season-long loan from Leicester.
