Two more youngsters agree new deals with the U's
Two more of Oxford United’s promising young players have signed new deals with the club. Sam Long and Josh Shama have both agreed contracts after progressing through from the development side last season.
Defender Long made six appearances for the first team last season while striker Shama played all of the development side games after suffering an injury in pre-season and was on the bench for the first team’s last game of the season at Northampton. Both he and Sam have signed one year deals with a further year’s option available to the club.
Head Coach Gary Waddock said:
“Both of them have done really well. Fans have seen Sam in the first team already and he has real potential as well as a fantastic attitude. Josh is a player who we have high hopes for because he has quality on the ball and works so hard for the whole 90 minutes. They both deserve their chance to push on, keep working at their game and build on a highly promising first year as professionals with the club.”
With Josh Ashby, Sam Humphreys, James Roberts and Aidan Hawtin all stepping up to join the likes of Josh Ruffels, Callum O’Dowda, Ty Marsh and Max Crocombe as professionals this year, the development squad has paid off, as Gary said:
“It’s exciting. Having young players come through is always going to be healthy for any club. They want to learn, they work hard at their game and have that enthusiasm that fans love to see. I am delighted that the younger players want to play a part in what we are building here.”