The midfielder became United’s first summer signing when he joined the club as a free agent on June 11.
He had been offered a new contract by Sheffield Wednesday after starring for the Owls during the 2023/24 campaign.
Vaulks was named the Owls’ supporters’ player of the year last season, receiving 29 per cent of the online vote.
He was also named the PFA Player in the Community last season, the third time he has received the award.
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Vaulks has featured in each of United’s opening 11 games of the campaign, including six starts in Sky Bet Championship.
If one thing has become obvious so far, then it is that Vaulks has very quickly established himself as a leader within the U’s squad.
He said: “If you ask me, or my friends or family, what are my top three attributes, leadership would probably be in there.
“It’s always been within me. I think you’re either a leader or you’re not, and I mean that in the best way or not an arrogant way.
“I think it just comes out of your character or it doesn’t. I know when I was speaking to the manager and to Ed [Waldron, head of football operations] when I was signing, that was something they wanted me to bring.
“You can’t force it, you just go and do it. I’d like to think I’m loud and vocal on the pitch, and players can ask me for help off the pitch as well. That’s just something I enjoy doing.
“You can feel on the pitch the positivity rises when people are loud, and when you’re playing against tough teams and tough opposition, you need to be vocal and helping each other out, and being positive as well, and that’s something I’ll always try and do.”
A youth player at Tranmere Rovers, Vaulks signed for Falkirk in July 2013, following a successful loan spell.
After impressing in Scotland, making 132 appearances once the move was permanent, the midfielder signed for Rotherham United in July 2016 for an undisclosed fee.
Vaulks scored 17 goals across 137 games for the Millers, before joining Cardiff City for a reported £2 million in June 2019.
He spent three years in the Welsh capital, netting 11 goals in 117 matches, ahead of moving to the Owls in July 2022.
Vaulks played 91 games in two seasons for Wednesday, including 54 in their promotion to the Championship during the 2022/23 campaign, and 34 in the second tier this season.
A Wales international, Vaulks has won seven caps, the last of which came in March 2022 as Wales drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic in a friendly.