Oxford united FC
How Oxford United loan players fared in 2025/26 season
The U’s have seen seven players play elsewhere during the second half of the season.
Matt Bloomfield and the Yellows’ hierarchy must build and retain a strong squad this summer to challenge in League One next season after their relegation from the Championship.
Oxford heavily utilised the loan market this campaign with both incoming and outgoings, their outgoing names experiencing mixed fortunes.
Starting with the players that are still contracted to the U’s, Peter Kioso, Louie Sibley, and James Golding all had temporary spells elsewhere.
Sibley is still with League One side Bradford City, however he has not featured in a Bantams squad since February 21.
It is understood that Bradford boss Graham Alexander had high hopes for the 24-year-old after his January arrival but things have not worked out for the midfielder and, after only four appearances, he is well down the pecking order.
He has played just nine times all season.
Bradford are 1-0 down on aggregate in the League One play-off semi-finals with the second leg still to play.
Still contracted to the club, it will be interesting to see what happens regarding Sibley’s future in OX4.
Kioso endured the whole season at 18th-placed Peterborough United in League One, captaining the side 17 times.
The 26-year-old scored once and assisted twice this term in 32 total appearances.
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Finally, defender Golding spent the second half of the season at National League side Southend United.
Playing the first half with Crewe Alexandra in League One, Golding moved to the fifth tier in January after picking up an injury and returning to Oxford in the new year.
The 21-year-old has since played 16 times for Southend including once in the National League play-offs which saw the lose Shrimpers lose to Scunthorpe United.
Golding’s loan team will face Wealdstone in the FA Trophy final this Sunday.
The four other players out on loan – Owen Dale, Will Goodwin, Tom Bradshaw, and Stephan Negru – have all departed after the Yellows confirmed their retained list this week.
Dale spent the season at Plymouth Argyle and is in talks to return there permanently.
Bradshaw scored three goals in 19 matches for Barnsley in League One since January.
24-year-old Goodwin scored four goals in 30 games for Colchester United after an early two-month injury.
Negru was with Tranmere Rovers since January and played 14 times for the club after an earlier stint with Bristol Rovers was curtailed by injury.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
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But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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