Five talented youngsters sign for the U's
The future looks bright for Oxford United with a crop of highly promising youngsters all committing their future to the club.
Goalkeeper Max Crocombe and striker Tyrone Marsh this week signed new long-term deals that commit their future to the U's for up to 4 years. Max, who flies out to Turkey this month to join up with the New Zealand under-20 squad for their World Cup campaign, and Ty who scored on his home debut last season, have both signed two year deals with Club options for a further two years. That would see the pair staying with United until Summer 2017.
Max told us:
"It is great to know that the club have such confidence in us. It has been an amazing few months on a personal basis, getting into the team on a regular basis, playing for New Zealand and now playing in a World Cup. I am absolutely delighted to have signed a new contract at Oxford and had no hesitation at all. They are putting faith in young players and I think we will all be looking to repay that faith and give our all in every game."
Manager Chris Wilder has seen the pair develop on and off the pitch and was full of praise for their efforts:
"They are both hard-working, both have a great attitude and they have kicked-on at the right time. They are a solid part of the first team picture now and although they know they still have a lot to learn, we will do all we can to nurture them and help them to continue to develop. The club is investing a lot of time and effort into Youth Development and Ty and Max are great examples to the other youngsters coming through."
The pair will be joined in the professional ranks by three more talented local youngsters who have signed professional contracts. Centre-Half Sam Long who captained the successful Youth Team last season, left-back David Lynn from Aylesbury and winger/striker Callum O'Dowda will get the chance to nurture their talents in the new Development Squad this season with the real possibility of First Team selection. This squad will play 16-20 games where young professionals, scholars and one or two senior players can get match sharpness and experience against fellow Development Squads.
United fans will be familiar with Sam, Callum and David from their progress through the Youth Development system at Oxford. Sam and David have signed one year deals with a Club option for a further year while Callum has signed for two years with a further one year Club option.
Chairman and Owner, Ian Lenagan, commented:
"The signing of these three talented young Oxford players shows the commitment of the Club to Youth Development and to giving Oxford-trained players the chance to play in the Football League"