Oxford United defender Josh Ruffels has triggered an extension in his contract which will see him stay at the club for another year.
The 26-year-old has been ever-present for the U’s this season, scoring three times from 45 appearances. However, he was out of contract in the summer which makes it another good bit of business by the club to retain their key player.
His 88th-minute winner against Shrewsbury Town – the U’s last match before lockdown – has ultimately helped the U’s secure a playoff spot after the EFL voted to curtail the season on an unweighted points per game (PPG) system.
Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford this morning, the defender said: “The option I’ve got in my contract has been exercised – and hopefully that will be (to play) in the Championship, that’s the main aim and I’m really excited.”
The Oxford-born defender came through the ranks at Coventry City before joining the U’s in 2013. He has gone on to make 266 appearances for the U’s, scoring 16 and providing 13 assists.
During his time at Oxford, Ruffels won promotion from League Two in 2015/16 and he won the Supporters Player of the Year last season.
The U’s will face Portsmouth in the League One play-off semi-final, with the winner facing either Wycombe Wanderers or Fleetwood Town in the final at Wembley.
