Pre-season is well underway for Des Buckingham and his Oxford United squad, with two more friendly matches over the last seven days.
Speaking of the squad, the U’s continue to build ahead of the new Championship season and have added another two more players.
Oxford United Weekly Round-Up: Two More Arrivals and Two Successive Wins
U’s Sign Poland International
On Monday, Oxford made their eighth signing of the summer with the arrival of Poland international, Przemyslaw Placheta.
The 26-year-old joined the U’s as a free agent after his Swansea City contract expired last month.
The left winger, who can also play at left-back, spent time at several clubs at youth level before joining RB Leipzig in 2015.
Placheta would move to England and joined Norwich City for a reported £2.5 million in July 2020.
Speaking for the first time as an Oxford United player, Płacheta said: “I’m very happy to be an Oxford United player and I can’t wait to play in front of the fans and meet my new teammates.
“I know I can be a good player in the Championship. My strengths are my dribbling, speed and directness and I know what the gaffer expects from his wingers.
“I want to add goals and assists to this team and I will do everything for the club to have a successful season.”
Des Buckingham added: “We are extremely pleased to have a player of Płacheta’s quality in our squad for this Championship season.
“He offers incredible pace in our wide area and fits the profile we are looking for in our wide players.
“To add another player to the squad that has experience at this level is really important, and we believe Przemysław can make a big difference going forward and be a player that gets fans off seats.”
Brannagan Linked With Championship Move
Death, taxes and Cameron Brannagan being linked with a move away!
On Monday, Pete O’Rourke reported that West Brom and Blackburn were “plotting moves” to sign the Oxford midfielder.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract but it’s believed that he wants to remain at the club.
‘Undergo A Medical’
On Tuesday, Mike White reported that Hull goalkeeper Matt Ingram was set to undergo a medical with the U’s.
The 30-year-old, who joined the Tigers in 2019, looks set to battle with summer signing Jamie Cumming for the number one spot should the move go through.
Oxford United Sign Hull Goalkeeper
Oxford then made their ninth summer signing with the arrival of goalkeeper, Matt Ingram.
The 30-year-old is the third shot-stopper to join in the transfer window after Jacob Knightbridge and Jamie Cumming.
Ingram, who came through the setup at Wycombe, spent six years at Adams Park, where he also had a loan spell at Oxford City, before joining Hull in 2019.
The goalkeeper turned out 111 times for the Championship club but has opted for a move to the U’s.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “I’m delighted to be here and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s a club on the up and I think good things are going to happen here, so when I knew about the interest I was over the moon.
“I really like the style of the player. We have a good union of goalkeepers here and hopefully, I can be one who drives the standards every day and brings experience to help us in the league.”
Des Buckingham said: “Matt is a very experienced goalkeeper in the Championship and throughout the EFL.
“He will add some valuable experience while also complimenting the way we want to play. His experience and leadership qualities will add value to what is a very strong goalkeeping department led extremely well by our Goalkeeping Coach, Lewis Price.
“Matt is a great addition to our group and a wonderful character to bring in as we continue to develop our culture and environment”.
Friendly Victory
Oxford’s first pre-season friendly back in England ended in victory with a 3-0 win over Oxford City.
Jacob Knightbridge made his U’s debut in goal and there were first Oxford starts for Jack Currie, Will Vaulks and Louie Sibley, with the latter opening the scoring.
Will Goodwin netted a second goal of the first half before Cameron Brannagan completed the scoreline in a much-changed line-up on 60 minutes.
Another Friendly Victory
Oxford made it back-to-back pre-season victories with another 3-0 win on the road, this time at Solihull.
It was a stronger starting lineup for the trip with Peter Kioso and Gatlin O’Donkor the only two players who didn’t start the League One playoff final against Bolton.
Mark Harris opened the scoring before Tyler Goodrham struck a sweet effort in off the post.
Like against Oxford City, Des Buckingham made several changes on the hour and James Golding was there to head home a third at the death.