Oxford United are yet to make any new signings ahead of the next season, but tying four players down to new deals are as good as new additions.
Out of contract in the summer, the U’s have kept hold of Sam Baldock, Elliott Moore, Alex Rodriguez Gorrin and Billy Bodin.
Baldock and Bodin only signed deals until the end of the last season but both had major impacts. Baldock netted four goals in seven games after his February arrival but injury ended his campaign early. As for Bodin, he also struggled with injuries but scored seven times and added five assists from 25 appearances.
If the duo can maintain their fitness and continue their threat in front of goal then they will be a major boost ahead of next season, along with the likes of Matty Taylor and Marcus Browne in attack.
On the other hand, Gorrin and Moore were also out of contract but the club had an option to extend both players by an additional 12 months. Oxford acted quickly in securing Moore down while Gorrin was subject to interest from other League One clubs.
However, the Spaniard put pen to paper on an additional year with a clause suggesting the club can trigger a further 12 months should he surpass a certain number of appearances. He will also be a massive boost defensively as the U’s conceded the highest amount of goals of any of the top 11 sides in League One last season.
With Moore, it went one better. Not only had the skipper already committed his future, but he then signed a new three-year deal. With several central defenders coming and going over the last few seasons, the 25-year-old now has the opportunity to become a mainstay in the Oxford United team for the foreseeable future.
Obviously, there are still areas of the pitch that Karl Robinson needs to address but so far, it has been a positive start to the transfer window for the U’s. By dealing with the internal issues before the window opens, Oxford will be hopeful they can make some positive strides with new additions.
