Oxford united FC
Former Oxford United keeper signs deal with Aston Villa
Garthwaite joined the U’s on trial at Under-9 level before signing permanently for the academy in January 2019.
After working his way through the age groups, Premier League giants Aston Villa in 2023 with the two clubs agreeing compensation.
The Oxford-born keeper began his footballing journey at Oxfordshire club Carterton Town before joining the U’s academy and is of English and Zimbabwean heritage.
He has been involved in both England and Zimbabwe national team training camps over the past couple of years.
Garthwaite has also already been offered a professional contract which he will sign on his 17th birthday.
United’s head of football development, Steven Kinniburgh, told the Oxford Mail: “It’s amazing to see another young player who started his football journey with our academy sign a scholarship with a Premier League club.
“This shows the strength of the full pathway at Oxford United academy and the great work being done behind the scenes.
“I am personally delighted for Jayden and his family, I look forward to watching his career develop in years to come.”
Jayden’s father, Leigh, also spoke to the OM, detailing his pride on his son’s brilliant achievement.
“We’re incredibly proud of Jayden,” he said.
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“Only a very small percentage of young players make it to this stage, so to earn a Premier League scholarship is a fantastic achievement.
“It’s the result of years of hard work, sacrifice, self-belief and commitment from Jayden. We’re proud not just of what he’s achieved, but of the person he’s become.
“Jayden has always been extremely driven. Even from a young age, his dedication, discipline and willingness to work hard have stood out. He knows that signing a scholarship isn’t the end goal—it’s just the next step in his journey.”
Garthwaite’s father also detailed the influence of the U’s on the youngster’s budding career.
“Oxford United played a huge part in Jayden’s development.
“They gave him the platform to play and perform week in, week out, while also teaching him important life skills that have helped shape him both as a footballer and as a young man.
“Those foundations have helped him progress to where he is today.”
The young shot-stopper recently played in the DEBRA Charity Cup organised by former Liverpool legend Graeme Souness and held at Oxford City.
Garthwaite has a history of participating in charity work and, at the early age of 11 whilst withing the U’s academy, walked 100 kilometres in a month to raise awareness for mental health.
He was recognised at the time by former Premier League goalkeeper Chris Kirkland who had inspired Jayden by backing the ‘Walking is Brilliant’ campaign during lockdown.
The message follows the club’s transfer embargo, which came after it failed to meet League One’s Salary Cost Management Protocol.
Through those rules clubs must demonstrate they can ‘fund their planned player expenditure and afford their playing budget’ before the start of the new season.
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In a letter released today (Wednesday, July 15) chairman Dusan Bogdanovic said he was sorry for the situation.
He said: “First and foremost, I want to sincerely apologise for the uncertainty and concern that recent news regarding our registration embargo has caused.
“I am acutely aware of the trust that has been placed in the shareholders and the board, and that developments of this nature can lead to the relationship we have with you being called into question.”
Appointed to the chairmanship in May this year, Mr Bogdanovic said he felt it was important that supporters hear directly from senior leadership.
“Over the last few seasons,” he explained, “we had to rapidly adjust to the realities of competing in a higher division and the increase in funding that required”.
He added: “Despite our best efforts, we were unable to retain our championship status and are now working through the challenges that higher costs, reduced revenues and new financial rules present.
“We are sometimes required to make difficult decisions in the short term.
“Those decisions are never taken lightly and, understandably, may not always be popular.
“However, our responsibility is to ensure we protect the long-term interests and sustainability of the club.”
The chairman went on to reassure fans that the registration embargo would not impact plans for the club’s new stadium, which is being proposed for near Kidlington and Oxford Parkway Station.
He added: “Securing a new home for Oxford United remains integral to our plans and our vision for the future of the club.
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“The stadium will not only be the club’s new home, but it is also the cornerstone of our long-term strategy and vital to ensuring Oxford United can thrive, grow and compete sustainably for many years ahead.”
He closed the statement with a message of optimism, saying that they would overcome the challenges ahead.
“The future of Oxford United is bright,” he said, “and our ambitions remain unchanged”.
He added: “I hope we can move forward together, united behind the team, united behind our vision, and united in our belief that the best days for Oxford United are still ahead of us.”
The U’s were hit with a temporary ban on registering new players after failing to meet League One’s Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) where clubs must demonstrate they can ‘fund their planned player expenditure and afford their playing budget’ before the start of the new season.
Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows have signed one player in the summer window in former Hearts centre back Frankie Kent, but he has not yet been registered.
United issued a statement last week confirming the embargo, saying that the club would be in a ‘strong position ahead of the January transfer window’.
On Sunday, OxVox sent an open letter to the club asking for further clarity from the highest levels of the club.
The following day, it issued a statement voicing their latest concerns, but confirmed that CEO Tim Williams had replied hoping to call later on Monday whilst chairman Dusan Bogdanovic had received their questions – reassuring supporters would receive answers soon – and had thanked fans for their patience.
The OxVox statement read: “We have been pressing the club for more communication over the the embargo news that was revealed before the weekend.
“We have spoken to the club, but sadly the in-person meeting arranged with the new chairman Dusan Bogdanovic to discuss this issue was cancelled as he had to attend a meeting in London.
“While we fully accept this is a busy time, we echo the concerns of many members and supporters concerning the terrible lack of communication about this worrying embargo.
“It was important for us to point out the concern we felt not only about the embargo but with the deafening silence from owners and chairman on this issue.
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“We have listed a number of questions which we hope the club will answer directly to supporters and will serve as a starting point for more to be asked.
“The owners have built up a great deal of respect and credit for their funding of the progression of the club and for bringing us within touching distance of a new stadium, but that respect will very quickly evaporate if the club continues to ignore the very real concerns of members and supporters.
“We will continue to update members and supporters as soon as we have received anything further from the club, and we hope that this can serve as a turning point in the way the club communicates with supporters as we move forward.
“Thank you as always for your patience and support and rest assured we are pursuing this issue with the club as with the highest priority.”
The supporters trust is scheduled to have its AGM on Wednesday, July 22 and fans can join up on their website.
The U’s left for Cadiz in Spain on Sunday to take part in a warm-weather training camp after playing a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wealdstone which they won 7-1.
Oxford will spend a week abroad under new head coach Aaron Ramsey who replaced former boss Matt Bloomfield last month.
Not all of the squad have travelled to the camp for fitness reasons, winger and last season’s Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season Mills being one of them.
New signing Kent has not yet been registered to the club; the centre back arrived as a free agent after leaving Scottish side Heart of Midlothian at the end of last season.
Oxford were put under a temporary transfer embargo last week meaning they cannot register any new players – including loan signings and free agents – until the January window.
The club has been found to not be compliant with the EFL Salary Cost Management Protocol Regulations (SCMP).
Two players have departed OX4 since the embargo was confirmed, with Indonesia international Ole Romeny and Slovenian striker Nik Prelec both leaving.
Romeny has joined Fortuna Sittard on loan with an option to buy whilst Prelec left for Polish outfit Jagiellonia Białystok on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.
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Those two departure were already in motion before the embargo hit and the club’s focus now is retaining the bulk of Ramsey’s current playing squad.
In a statement, United said: “The club have an extremely competitive squad already in place and the focus this summer will be on retaining those players that give Aaron Ramsey and his staff the strongest group possible to deliver success on the pitch this season.”
Oxford star right midfielder Mills is one name who is expected to garner interest this summer after being one of the club’s most impressive and consistent performers for the majority of last term.
Speculation had gathered further with supporters noticing that South Korean winger Jeon Jin-woo was pictured wearing the no.7 shirt that Mills was initially seen in at the start of pre-season.
However, after initially being given the no.7 jersey, Mills opted to change back to his previous no.17 due to memories of injuries when previously wearing no.7.
The 22-year-old wore the number during his first spell at Oxford, a loan move from Everton in the 2023/24 season.
The Englishman, and son of former Manchester City and England defender Danny Mills, picked up a serious knee injury in that season.
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