Marcus Kelly is delighted to join the U’s – and felt he needed a fresh challenge.

The left winger, who will be vying with another new signing, Alex Rhodes, for a starting place with the U’s, joins from Rushden on a one-year deal.

“I’d been at Rushden seven years, since I was a kid, so it’s good to get away – and embark on a new adventure,” he said.

“It’s good to come to Oxford, get quite a few more games under my belt and hopefully push for promotion next season.

“It’s a massive club, a fantastic stadium and the fans are fantastic as well. More than 10,000 for the last game of the season is superb.”

Kelly, who has often shone against Oxford in the past, says he’s a left winger “who is not just stuck in that position”.

“I’ve played in a three, centrally, so I can play either.”

Manager Chris Wilder said: “He’s an out-and-out left winger, very good technically, with good delivery on set pieces.

“He’s one that I’ve seen a lot of, and he again gives us genuine competition in that position.

“I think he’s been one of Rushden’s better players every time I’ve seen him.”