Young midfielder joins the U's
Oxford United’s exciting new Development Squad is taking shape for the coming season with 19-year-old midfielder Josh Ruffels the latest player to sign for the U’s.
The Development Squad will consist mainly of players under 21 years of age who will play a series of games against similar sides throughout the season. After major investment in the Youth Development sides of the club it is hoped that the Development Side will bridge the gap between youth team and first team football. Local youngsters Sam long, David Lynn and Callum O’Dowda have followed Tyrone Marsh and Max Crocombe into the professional ranks this season while Matt Bevans has joined from Watford, Kenzer Lee from West Ham, Josh Shama from Reading and now Ruffels following his release by Coventry City.
Josh is a local lad, from Kidlington, who began his career with the U’s until joining the Sky Blues at under 8 level. A ball playing central midfielder, he made his first team debut for Coventry against Crystal Palace in the Championship in 2011 and has impressed while training with the U’s this summer.
Manager Chris Wilder told www.oufc.co.uk:
“The development squad looks strong and Josh is a player we think has every chance of coming through and being a first team player on a regular basis. He is an Oxford lad who perhaps slipped through the net when he was a boy. The way the club has rebuilt the youth side of things means that we are now able to attract good players with great potential again.
“He is level-headed, wants to work hard at his game, and we are delighted that he has committed his future to the club.”