Oxford United goalkeeper Simon Eastwood has penned a new long-term deal at the club. The 31-year-old was out of contract in the summer.
The news comes as a shock to many after he was dropped from first-team duties in November after a mistake against Swindon, with Jack Stevens coming in as his replacement. However, it means the U’s will begin next season with two very capable shot-stoppers on their books.
Having signed an extension until the summer of 2024, Eastwood will be looking to push Stevens for the number one spot next season, and with 215 appearances for the club under his belt, he brings huge experience to the position.
Speaking to the Oxford Mail, Eastwood said: “Obviously the Swindon game didn’t go to plan for myself and the team.
“That’s part of goalkeeping because if you make one mistake it costs you.
“I’ve signed the contract to get back in the team sooner or later. For me, it’s about working harder than ever and when my chance comes to take it.
“I might have got a bit lucky having such a smooth ride for four years, you don’t see it too much where a keeper plays all the time.
“This is the first time I’ve properly been challenged and beaten to the No 1 spot.
“That’s what goalkeeping is, when you hit a dip – which I admit I have – it’s how you overcome it. It doesn’t make you a bad keeper over your career.”
With his deal set to expire in the summer, the 31-year-old was relieved to sign an extension. He added: “Some people don’t understand when you’re in the leagues we’re in it’s so tough.
“You can go months without any contact with teams (about a contract).
“I could have run my contract down and got something better or something worse, you just don’t know.
“Everyone knows I’ve got two girls and my wife and I are happy.
“To have security is the real positive side as a family, I can relax a little bit looking into the summer and start again in pre-season.”
Having seen Stevens recently sign a new deal, U’s boss Karl Robinson was equally as delighted to watch Eastwood commit his future to the club. He said: “He (Eastwood) is training the best I’ve ever seen him train.
“Him and Jack have got a wonderful relationship, they’re challenging each other all the time.
“That’s something I want to continue.”
