Oxford United midfielder George Thorne has revealed that he is playing for free at the League One side, Sky Sports have reported.
The 27-year-old, who joined the U’s on loan in the summer from Derby County, has had an injury-hit career but is thought to be one of the best midfielders in the Championship when fully fit.
Thorne made two substitute appearances for the U’s before making his first start during the clubs 4-0 Carabao Cup win over West Ham United, but the midfielder dislocated his shoulder just 23 minutes into the match.
But having rejoined the club in January after terminating his Rams contract, Thorne revealed that he will go unpaid during the remainder of his time at the Kassam.
He told Sky Sports News: “It was key for me to start enjoying football again. The last few years, because I haven’t been playing football and other things were going on, I wasn’t enjoying going into work at Derby and enjoying myself. I was going in and training with the kids.
“The most difficult thing is not being injured and still not being able to play. The biggest thing for me was to come somewhere with someone I trust, someone that trusts me, would allow me the opportunity to prove my ability and my fitness.”
U’s boss Karl Robinson was the man and Oxford were the club to give Thorne that opportunity, and after the 27-year-old agreed a settlement with Derby, the arrival of a talented midfielder with no additional wage was a must for the Oxford boss.
Robinson said: “He at one stage was one of the best players in the Championship. He was running games on his own, his weight of pass, his vision.
“He’s one of the nicest young men you’ll ever meet and he’s been through so much. I remember speaking to him when he did his shoulder and he was almost in tears, the conversation we had he said ‘gaffer I’ve had enough, I can’t mentally deal with this any more, my body can’t deal with it’, it was a very difficult conversation for us to have.
“He’s just an unbelievable character and by the way – he’s an exceptional footballer and we’re very very lucky to have him.”
Thorne suffered two serious knee injuries during his time at Pride Park and struggled to find a way back into the side managed by either Frank Lampard or Philip Cocu. The 27-year-old struggled for game time while on loan at Luton, making just three appearances, but is hopeful that he can feature more in the remainder of the season and help the U’s push for promotion.
