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 Terriers confirmed that the former U’s boss will not return to the club after the regular League One season recently came to an end.
Huddersfield said that it was a mutual decision between Manning, the club, and his family.
The 40-year-old began a period of compassionate leave on March 25 due to ongoing personal matters following the tragic passing of his son Theo in October 2024.
Manning told the Terriers upon the decision the decision: “Stepping down from Huddersfield Town has been a difficult decision, but one I feel is best for the Club, my family and myself at this time.
“It has been a privilege to manage this team and be a part of this community. I am grateful to the fans for their support and compassion in recent months.”
READ MORE: Former Oxford boss Manning awarded compassionate leave
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Manning was in charge of the U’s in 2023 for eight months before departing in November for Championship side Bristol City.
The Englishman left with Oxford second in League One, Des Buckingham taking over and leading the club to play-off glory later that season.
Manning has since taken the Robins to a play-off finish last season, the club’s first play-off campaign in 17 years, before leaving for hometown club Norwich City where he lasted only five months following a poor start to the season.
Fans and pundits have reacted to the news with heartfelt messages for the ex-Yellows boss.
EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton posted on X: “Best wishes, Liam.”
One Huddersfield fan commented: “All the best Liam, hopefully you get the help you need. Top man.”
Another Terriers supporter said: “Don’t care that we didn’t achieve what we wanted to under him this season, some things are bigger than football. I wish Liam the very best for him and his family, and everyone at Town does too.”
Manning’s departure means that Huddersfield must now search for a new man to take charge of the club ahead of the 2026/27 season.
News outlet SportsBoom have reported that the Terriers are supposedly eyeing a shock move for former boss David Wagner.
Wagner led the club to promotion to the Premier League in 2017 with a Championship play-off final victory over Reading.
He has since managed Norwich City and German giants Schalke but has been out of work since his sacking from the Canaries in 2024.
The 27-year-old has left the U’s upon the expiry of his contract after the club confirmed its retained list on Monday.
The Yellows let go of 10 players, all of whom are out of contract this summer, following their Championship relegation this season.
Przemysław Płacheta, Myles Peart-Harris, Hidde ter Avest, Will Goodwin, Joshua Johnson, Jacob Knightbridge, Steph Negru, Tom Bradshaw, and Stuart Findlay are the other nine names who join Dale in leaving OX4.
Dale joined the club in 2024 and helped United to promotion from League One via the play-offs in the final six months of the 2023/24 season.
The winger made 11 Championship in the U’s first season back in the second tier in 25 years before moving out on loan to Wigan Athletic in the January transfer window.
Dale spent this season on loan at Plymouth in League One, playing 32 times, scoring once and assisting five times in all competitions.
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According to reporter Alan Nixon, the former Blackpool and Portsmouth man has begun talks with the Pilgrims about joining the club permanently.
Plymouth are apparently pushing to get the deal done as quickly as possible but terms are currently not agreed and Dale could attract interest from elsewhere if he is to turn down a deal.
Dale scored once and assisted twice in 30 total appearances for Oxford.
The Portsmouth head coach is a strong favourite for the Robins job, alongside Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala, after guiding Pompey to safety for a second consecutive season.
The red side of Bristol are looking for a new leader after former England manager Roy Hodgson’s stint as interim finished at the end of this season.
78-year-old Hodgson took charge in a surprise move after Gerhard Struber was sacked in March.
Mousinho has spent three years in charge at Fratton Park in his first head coach role, winning League One in his first full campaign, the same year that the U’s won the play-off final.
Playing for the Yellows between 2017 and 2023, Mousinho became club captain during his first year and played a total of 150 times, scoring on five occasions.
The 40-year-old took up a player-coach role in 2021 with Oxford before leaving to take charge of Pompey two years later.
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According to multiple news sources, Mousinho has held talks this week with the Robins.
He currently stands as the bookmakers’ favourite, closely followed by Lincoln hero Skubala.
Alongside those talks, City have also reportedly triggered the release clause in Skubala’s contract and held talks last week.
The Imps boss led his side to League One glory this season meaning they will compete in the second tier next season for the first time in 65 years.
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