Oxford United sign former Wycombe Wanderers star for Championship return

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Asmir Begovic saves the ball from West Bromwich Albion’s Matt Phillips during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. Picture date: Tuesday October 24, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER West Brom. (Image: Jacob King)

Oxford United have confirmed the signing of former Wycombe Wanderers favourite Matt Phillips.

The 33-year-old rose through the ranks with the Chairboys and made nearly a century of appearances before making the move to Premier League Blackpool in 2010.

Spending the last 15 years in the Championship and Premier League with Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion, the winger was released at the Hawthorns over the summer after eight years and over 250 appearances.

Oxford, promoted to the Championship for the first time in 25 years, have secured the services of the Scotland international.

This comes as a disappointment to the Chairboys faithful, with the Bucks Free Press reporting earlier in the summer that there was a possibility the Aylesbury-raised star could return to Adams Park.

“I’m delighted,” Phillips told Oxford United. “It’s a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve had a few days of training already and I’m delighted to get started. I noticed from walking in that it’s a very tight group that’s together, which showed in getting up through the play-offs.

“I want to have another successful season with the team here and I feel like I have a lot to offer. This is an opportunity for me to come and play football and really go and do something special.

“I don’t want to put a target on things. People might write us off, but I want to prove people wrong and reach for the stars and let us see where it takes us.”

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