As far as transfer windows go, it’s been a relatively productive one for Karl Robinson’s Oxford United. There was just one notable departure in the shape of Rob Dickie to QPR, while nine new faces have arrived at the club.
In this piece, we look at the signings and what impact we think they can have on the club.
Joel Cooper (In – Undisclosed Fee)
Joel Cooper was the U’s first summer signing. The 24-year-old joined the club on an undisclosed fee from Linfield, making him the third player to arrive at the U’s from Northern Ireland after Gavin Whyte and Mark Sykes.
Cooper netted 13 goals and provided 17 assists as he won the Northern Irish Championship for a second successive season.
The winger has only featured on four occasions and has missed the last three games after being called up for the Northern Ireland senior squad, although he failed to make an appearance.
Matty Taylor (In – Free Transfer)
One week after the arrival of Cooper, Oxford added Matty Taylor permanently. The Oxford-born striker had a fruitful spell while on loan from Bristol City where he scored 17 goals in all competitions.
And after being released by the Robins in the summer, the 30-year-old was more than happy to rejoin his boyhood club permanently.
Taylor has scored twice from five outings this season, with both goals coming in the U’s 4-1 win over Accrington Stanley.
Sean Clare (In – Undisclosed Fee)
Sean Clare was the U’s only defensive reinforcement during the summer window after the makeshift right-back joined from Hearts. The 24-year-old, who has spent most of his career in midfield, was brought in to replace Chris Cadden on the right side of defence – a position he had played while north of the border.
However, the former Sheffield Wednesday man has struggled in the early stages of the new season. The right-back has been part of the side that have conceded eight league goals in just four games. Although it’s early in his U’s career, his attacking abilities have looked threatening, but he has been caught out a few times during the defensive third, along with the rest of the team.
Cameron Brannagan (New Contract)
Just one day after the U’s signed Clare, midfielder Cameron Brannagan committed his future to the club by signing a new two-year deal. The 24-year-old, who has surpassed 100 U’s appearances since his arrival in January 2018, will see his current contract expire in the summer of 2023.
The new contract was vital. With speculation surrounding a move away, commitment from the former Liverpool man just highlighted his desire to stay at the club.
This season, Brannagan has scored once from eight appearances and appears to have regained the form he showed last season before injuries hampered his campaign.
George Thorne (Out – Released)
Just a few days after Brannagan penned his new deal, Oxford United released midfielder George Thorne. The 27-year-old had an injury-hit spell since joining on loan from Derby County in the summer of 2019.
The midfielder managed just 167 minutes of football during his time at the club. In January, he cancelled his Derby contract and joined the U’s as a free agent on a short term deal, but struggled to regain full fitness.
Marcus McGuane (In – Loan)
The first loan signing of the summer, Marcus McGuane joined the U’s from Nottingham Forest. The 21-year-old came through the ranks at Arsenal before joining Barcelona, where he became the first Englishman to play for the Catalan club since Gary Lineker.
He returned to England to join Forest and featured for the U23 side. However, the coronavirus pandemic hit as it appeared he was closing in on first-team football, so a move away on loan seemed the best option for the youngster.
McGuane has had a hit and miss start to the season. He was highly fancied during pre-season and showed plenty of promise, but he has been unable to carry that into competitive competition. Like with Clare, it could be down to the fact the side have struggled on the pitch and some individual performances have also been highlighted during the run.
Dylan Asonganyi (In – Free Transfer)
19-year-old striker Dylan Asonganyi joined the U’s just four days after McGuane. The forward worked with manager Karl Robinson at MK Dons, the club that Asonganyi was released from in the summer.
Of all the summer signings, the young striker is one still to make an impact. Yet to make an appearance, it did look like the forward could be loaned out but he remains with the club for now.
Derick Osie Yaw (In – Free Transfer) and Liam Kelly (In – Loan)
Karl Robinson brought in two new faces on August 21 with the additions of striker Derick Osei Yaw and midfielder Liam Kelly. Osei Yaw joined the U’s on a two-year contract following his release from Stade Brestois 29 and impressed while on trial during pre-season.
Kelly, who spent time on loan from Feyenoord from January, has rejoined the U’s on a season-long loan from the Dutch outfit where he seems out of favour.
Osei has impressed so far. The 21-year-old scored in both Football League Trophy matches against Chelsea U23s and Bristol Rovers respectively, in addition to adding a brace in a pre-season friendly with Brentford and netting against Woking and Banbury.
Kelly has played eight times this season, starting in all four league games. However, with the injury to Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, the 24-year-old has been playing in the deeper midfield role and has been unable to influence the game as we know he is capable.
Rob Dickie (Out – Undisclosed Fee)
We knew it was coming – the departure of Rob Dickie was always likely to happen. The 24-year-old had come on leaps and bounds since his arrival from Reading in January 2018 and was linked with a move to a number of clubs.
What may have been surprising was the fact he moved to QPR, despite links with Newcastle United, Leeds United and Southampton, among others.
The defender made 113 appearances for the U’s and was a key part of the squad as they reached the League One playoff final.
Karl Robinson (New Contract)
Like with Brannagan, tying manager Karl Robinson down to a new deal was a stroke of genius by the club. The 39-year-old still had a couple of years on his existing contract but keeping at the club for a longer period has given the club some needed sustainability.
On the pitch, it provides the playing squad with longevity, while also allowing the club to receive a sizable compensation package if he was to leave to join a club in a higher division.
It took Robinson time to settle at the club. In his first few months in charge, he was tasked with keeping the club in the league. His first full season in charge was largely disappointing, with the club flirting with relegation for much of the campaign.
However, last season was highly memorable. The U’s reached the League One playoff final and enjoyed extraordinary cup runs, which included wins over West Ham United and going toe to toe with Manchester City and Newcastle United respectively.
Sam Winnall (In – Free Transfer)
For most of the window, Karl Robinson talked up signing a striker that he believed will be “as good as it gets in League One.” The addition of former Sheffield Wednesday striker Sam Winnall certainly ticked that box.
The 29-year-old was released by the Owls in the summer and joined the U’s on a two-year deal. He struck 23 times from 45 league appearances for Scunthorpe United as the Iron secured promotion from League Two, before recording double figures with Barnsley during spells in League One and the Championship.
Yet to feature for the U’s due to lack of match fitness and injury, Winnall will be hoping to hit the ground running when he has a run of games.
Olamide Shodipo (In – Loan)
For the majority of the window, Karl Robinson wanted a pacey left-winger and, on deadline day, the U’s boss got his wish. Although former Oxford players Gavin Whyte and Marcus Browne had been linked with a return, the U’s signed QPR winger Olamide Shodipo on a season-long loan.
The former Republic of Ireland U21 international has had an injury-hit tenure with the R’s and both clubs will be hoping the loan move can boost his career.
