Striker joins The U's
Oxford United are pleased to announce the signing of Dave Kitson with effect from July 1st.
Dave is a vastly experienced striker who has scored goals wherever he has been since making his breakthrough with Cambridge United.
The six-foot three centre-forward scored 40 goals in 97 league starts at Cambridge before a £150,000 move to Reading in 2003. Sixty goals in 121 starts helped the Royals win promotion to the Premier League and further enhanced his reputation.
Stoke City paid £5.5million for his services in 2008 and he has also had successful loan periods back at Reading and at Middlesbrough. After a further successful spell at Portsmouth, Dave joined Sheffield United, scoring 12 times in 32 starts last season including one at the Kassam Stadium in the Blades 3-0 FA Cup win over the U's.
Now 33, Dave underwent a vigorous medical on Thursday and joins the U's on a two-year contract. He is delighted to have signed at the Kassam Stadium:
"I had a number of clubs interested but the ambition and the set-up here at Oxford is excellent and there is a buzz about the club at the moment. It is a good club with a good manager and a very good squad. Oxford is the only League Two club that I considered because at this stage in my career I am looking to be part of a successful promotion campaign. I am looking forward to joining up with them for pre-season, working hard, and playing my part in what I am sure will be a very exciting few years for the club."
Manager Chris Wilder was equally pleased to add to his firepower:
"Dave has a proven stature and has scored goals at the top level. He is very experienced and he makes goals for other people too. He is extremely fit, with the same hunger to do well and will be a positive influence in the dressing room, especially with the younger players.
"As soon as we knew he was available he was my number one target for the summer. He had options in higher divisions but I think it speaks volumes for Oxford United and the way we do things here that he wanted to come and play for us.
"We have strengthened what we considered a key area for the season ahead."