Simon Clist said last night he was thrilled to have joined Oxford United on transfer deadline day, because these are exciting times.

The 27-year-old midfielder signed for the U's from Forest Green Rovers for a nominal fee, on a two-and-a-half-year deal to become manager Chris Wilder's first really long-term signing.

The left-footed Clist has played against United many times before, for Bristol City, Torquay United and Forest Green, and he has always shown great ability on the ball with his skilful footwork and creative passing.

Living in the Witney area, he was immediately interested in a move to Oxford when he heard they were interested in him, as were League Two Exeter.

And Clist says he is well aware of the great run United are on, with 19 points from the last 21.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me," he said. "Oxford's a massive club and they've got great potential.

"They're going very well this season, I've seen the run they've been on lately and obviously they have a chance to make the play-offs, so it's a really exciting time."

Wilder said: "Simon is a player I have admired for a long time. He is a left-footed central midfielder who creates things and passes the ball well.

"He has been involved with a team that got out of this league, is local to Oxford, and he covers us in a couple of other positions as well.

"I know a lot about him, have seen him dominate games at this level and I think he is a great signing for the football club."

Chairman Kelvin Thomas said:"We have always said to Chris that we would support him as much as possible, but that he would be working within the current budget, which he has done to great effect with the players going out.

"He has brought in players who give us value for money, which is important, and we genuinely feel that the players who have come in to the club during the January window have significantly boosted the team, and Simon will improve us still further."

Born in Dorset, Clist began his career as a trainee at Ashton Gate, working his way through the ranks and going on to make around 70 appearances for Bristol City, scoring six goals.

Loaned out to Torquay in February 2003, he made his Plainmoor debut against Oxford in a dramatic League Two match that saw United hit back to win 3-2.

Joining Barnet in 2004, he stayed at Underhill for two seasons, making 67 starts.

Since 2006, he has been at Forest Green, scoring 11 times in 104 league starts.

This season he laid on the opener when Forest Green beat United 2-1 in the Setanta Shield, and he also played in Rovers' 2-1 defeat by Oxford in the Blue Square Premier just a fortnight ago.