Rigg: time was right for my Oxford United move (From The Oxford Times)

Rigg: time was right for my Oxford United move

9:30am Wednesday 6th June 2012 in Sport By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

SEAN Rigg is hoping the move to Oxford United will take his career to the next level after admitting to needing a new challenge.

The 24-year-old turned down a contract offer from Port Vale and approaches from two other clubs to become United’s first summer signing last month.

After 104 appearances for Vale in almost three years, Rigg was keen for a change.

The versatile attacker believes the U’s will fit the bill as he looks to help the club get back into npower League One, where he spent two seasons while at Bristol Rovers before moving to Vale Park.

He said: “It’s that time in my career where I needed a fresh start.

“It’s a good club on an upward curve and it really did appeal to me when they showed interest.

It’s that time in my career where I needed a fresh start – it really did appeal to me when Oxford showed interest

Sean Rigg

“I was offered the chance to stay at Vale and my decision to come here didn’t reflect on the manager, the club or anything at Port Vale because I really enjoyed my time there, but I’ve got a family now to look after and I have to look to the future.

“I’m happy with the decision I’ve made.”

It remains to be seen the role the new recruit will be asked to play next season, with Rigg able to operate wide on the flanks or through the middle as a support striker.

He said: “I’m happy anywhere in the attacking half.

“I got thrown around a bit at Port Vale and played in midfield and up front, so any attacking position suits me.”

Chris Wilder has favoured a 4-3-3 formation during his time at United, which would naturally suit Rigg on the left wing, where he scored ten goals for Vale last season.

The U’s boss said: “We’re looking to play him up in the three – if we go that way – and he can play on the left or the right and in behind as well.

“With the way we play, we like players to roll in off the line, we had that with Robbie Hall this season and it was a success.”

Following a season plagued by injuries to key players, Wilder is hoping that Rigg will continue his form from the last campaign, when he played 42 of Vale’s 46 matches in npower League Two.

He said: “One of the things you look for is the games he’s played and we have to get the games out of him as well – can we get 46 out of him?

“He’s a confident boy and if we do achieve that, I think he’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t score regularly.”

Rigg scored the second goal as Port Vale beat Oxford 3-0 on the final day of last season, to end the U’s play-off hopes.