Oxford Add Highly-Rated Eastleigh Defender

Oxford United have made their fourth signing of the January transfer window in just two days after Rob Atkinson joined the club.

The highly-rated centre back is the latest addition, arriving for an undisclosed fee from Eastleigh, following Nathan Holland, Liam Kelly and Marcus Browne through the door.

The former Fulham trainee has signed a three and a half year deal but will be loaned back to the National League side until the summer.

Oxford, who faced stiff competition from a dozen clubs, won the signature of the 21-year-old.

U’s boss Karl Robinson told the Oxford Mail: “We know there were ten League One clubs and two Championship clubs who put a bid in for him.

“We matched the bid literally 48 hours ago.

“Tiger (chairman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth) and the board were very quick on that.”

He added: “I’ve never seen a dribbling centre back like him.

“When people start seeing young Rob’s clips people will go ‘that’s an Oxford United centre back’.

“We’re getting agents calling us saying ‘there’s not many clubs this player can play for, but you’re one of them’.

“All the teams linked with him are footballing ones and we fall into that bracket now, which is pleasing for me.”

Atkinson started out at Basingstoke Town before joining Fulham. He then joined Eastleigh last summer as was part of the side that beat the U’s 3-0 in a pre-season friendly.

The centre back, who can also cover as left-back, told the Oxford Mail: “I wouldn’t say I’m an orthodox centre back.

“I can do the ugly side, head the ball but I like running out with the ball. I will do that plenty at this club, that’s what you can expect.

“I love dribbling. That’s where I get my enjoyment from the game. If I wasn’t allowed to do that I wouldn’t enjoy football anywhere near as much.”