Oxford united FC
Oxford United’s 2026 January transfer window signings rated
After rating every player’s season previously, the Oxford Mail has rated every U’s winter signing.
Jamie McDonnell – 6
Arriving from Premier League side Nottingham Forest after spending the first half of the campaign on loan with Mansfield Town, McDonnell struggled to tie down a spot in the Yellows team.
Yunus Konak’s form meant McDonnell had to settle for mostly substitute appearances from February onwards.
Jeon Jin-woo – 5
Again, someone who mostly featured off the bench, Jin-woo still feels an unknown quantity.
The winger looked lively on occasion but failed to make his mark, which is not overly surprising as adjusting to English football from the Korean league will always be tricky.
Myles Peart-Harris – 7
Peart-Harris’ form waned in the final few matches of the season, but upon arrival he brought a drastic improvement to the side.
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That performance away at Leicester was outstanding and he managed three goals in his 20 appearances.
Had he kept his form up, his rating would certainly be higher.
Aidomo Emakhu – 5.5
Emakhu endured a tough start to life in OX4.
Early struggles saw the Irishman’s confidence take a hit as he could not get past Peart-Harris for a starting berth.
After two early starts in February, the 22-year-old then did not start again until the draw at home to Charlton Athletic.
The final four games were when Emakhu showed what he is about, with two good substitute cameos leading him to start the final two fixtures.
There is disappointment that the Republic of Ireland international did not make an instant impact, but there is excitement at his potential in League One.
Yunus Konak – 8
It took a couple of games to adjust, but Konak soon became a key cog in Matt Bloomfield’s machine.
The 20-year-old improved with every performance and averaged three ball recoveries and 1.3 tackles per game.
Highly rated at Brentford and in his native Turkiye, Konak’s Oxford displays may end up being looked at as the start of a very good career,
Jamie Donley – 7
Similarly to Peart-Harris, Donley’s performances dwindled near the end of the season, but his earlier impact was undeniable.
His best spell came in the three-game winning run in March where he bagged a goal against Blackburn Rovers and assist against West Bromwich Albion.
The 21-year-old filled a important hole in the Yellows since his arrival and return from injury.
Christ Makosso – 5.5
Started well and good on the ball but conceded the penalty in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Sunderland and then lost his place after arriving late to the stadium before the West Brom win.
Ruben Roosken – 4
Roosken is an interesting case.
Brought in on deadline day, the Dutchman played three times in early February before not seeing action again until a single appearance against Hull City in April.
Oxford United supporters travelling to the stadium for the match against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, October 20, are being told to allow extra time for their journeys due to ongoing works.
There are no changes to the usual travel arrangements, and no road closures are in place.
However, diversions will remain in place after the match on the roundabouts at Grenoble Road to help manage traffic flow.
Roadworks and temporary traffic lights on Watlington Road at the roundabout with Grenoble Road are causing significant delays.
Fans are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and allow extra time for their journey.
Away supporters are also advised to consider alternative routes to the stadium.
The club said: “Please plan your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling to and from the stadium.”
The U’s drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town last Thursday in a chaotic game which saw two Oxford players sent off.
Luka Lynch’s wonder goal from the edge of the box put the Yellows ahead before Peter Kioso was dismissed for an alleged dive in the second half resulting in a second yellow card.
Mansfield then equalised before Gatlin O’Donkor was sent off for a second yellow.
Oxford face strugglers Wigan Athletic, who sit bottom of the table, on Tuesday night as they look to extend their League One unbeaten run to six matches.
In his preview of the midweek fixture, Ramsey confirmed that Aidomo Emakhu is ready to play after his two-month long absence: “He’s available.
“Obviously we’ve got a decision to make now.
“But for me, I know we’ve got a real competitive squad. No problems with whoever comes in at all.”
Emakhu’s return coincides with the suspension of fellow forward O’Donkor and comes at a good time for Oxford.
The chaos that ensued last week at the One Call Stadium was frustrating, with the U’s head coach disagreeing with the first red card decision.
Amongst all the controversy, Ramsey remained calm on the touchline, with his side going on to see out a draw with a resolute, nine-man defensive performance in the final stages.
When asked about his demeanour during games, the 35-year-old said: “My stance doesn’t change.
“I was obviously very frustrated. That decision ultimately cost us the game really.
“The decision has been made. What are you going to do? Just rile yourself up for no particular reason?
“I want my team to still be in control of the situation, even though there’s a lot of chaos going on around. Because there’s still a job to be done at the end of the day.
“There are a lot of distractions on the pitch and frustrations and things like that. For me, you have to remain calm in those situations.
“Otherwise, things just spiral out of control.
“Of course, we’re all frustrated, for sure. But you have to still do a job in those moments and try and have that blue head in those really heated periods in games.
“For me, there will be a moment as well where something has to be done and there will be some different reactions. But in general, I want us to be in control of what we do.
“Some moments in the game that are required where you need your full concentration.
“What good is that if you’re still complaining about things?”
The winger opened the scoring in Oxford’s 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town on Thursday with a beautiful curling effort which found the top corner in his first League One start.
The U’s went on to see two men sent off after Lynch was substituted in the 59th minute, Peter Kioso receiving a controversial second yellow before Michael Smith’s equaliser for the Stags.
Gatling O’Donkor then saw yellow for a second time, receiving a red card for a late sliding challenge whilst already on a booking.
Aaron Ramsey’s side then fought valiantly to fend off a late flurry of Mansfield attacks to gain an important point at the One Call Stadium.
After scoring his first ever goal in professional senior football, Lynch said: “It’s a great first goal for the club.
“That’s what I’m here for, to produce those type of moments. I’m glad I was able to execute it.
“I’m buzzing for myself. Like you said, it would have been great if it was the winning goal, but I’m glad the team was able to dig through and come away from the game with it as well.
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“I want to make the biggest impact I can possible within the team. Help them do well in the league, push for promotion, those type of things.
“I’ve just got to play my part and keep delivering like I have been.”
Lynch has bagged three assists and a goal in his first five Yellows appearances, making an impact almost every time he has stepped onto the pitch.
Not only was the state of the game on Thursday a new experience for head coach Ramsey, it was a new and chaotic spectacle for the young winger to witness from the dugout after his withdrawal.
Immediate thoughts after a frankly bizarre game as #OxfordUnited find a valuable point in a 1-1 draw with Mansfield 💭 More on the refereeing decisions and performance here 👇 #oufc https://t.co/a8zBKwAWA5
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) October 15, 2026
“The game got a bit wild towards the end. I couldn’t really see too much because everyone was stood up. It was getting a bit crazy on the sidelines.
“It was a crazy game…a good game though. I think both teams turned up and played well.
“It was a proper fight. I’m just happy to come away with a result.”
Oxford have tough competition in wide areas with the emergence of Mo Missanga, the impacts of Lynch and Siriki Dembele coupled with the near returns of Aidomo Emakhu and Jeon Jin-woo from injury.
When asked if he was sending Ramsey a message with his performances, 19-year-old Lynch replied: “I guess you could say that.
“When I play, I’m just in the zone. I don’t really think too much.
“I trust my ability. I know what I’m here to do.”
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