A summer transfer target of Oxford United has signed permanently elsewhere after Ched Evans joined Fleetwood Town.
The 30-year-old striker was an interest to Karl Robinson last month, but the U’s boss later conceded that the Sheffield United man wanted to stay up north.
Fleetwood, the club where he scored 18 goals whilst on loan last season, Bolton Wanderers and Oldham Athletic were all interest in the striker, but Evans decided to rejoin Joey Barton at Highbury.
Barton told the clubs official website: “Ched has been our number one target all summer, and to get the deal done is huge credit to everybody at the football club. Everyone saw the impact he had on and off the pitch last season, and I speak on behalf of the players and staff who are delighted to see him back at Fleetwood Town.
“To sign a player of Ched’s ability permanently is a real sign of what we’re building here, and we can’t wait to get him onto the pitch and scoring goals.”
It is believed the former Wales international has joined the League One club for a substantial, undisclosed six-figure fee and has signed a two-year deal with the option of an additional season.
In a poll, 75% of U’s fans would have loved to see the striker join the club, but there was a percentage of supporters that felt, due to his previous actions, he would be better off not being associated with Oxford United.
Fleetwood won their opening League One match without Evans against Peterborough United, the side the U’s welcome to the Kassam Stadium this Saturday.
