New League One clubs join Oxford United in race for Kyreece Lisbie

The U’s reportedly met with the Colchester United winger as they look to secure his services ahead of the 2026/27 League One campaign.

Thames Valley rivals Reading pulled the plug on their interest earlier this month but it has since been revealed that Wednesday and Huddersfield are both also in the race for Lisbie’s signature alongside Oxford and Peterborough United.

The 22-year-old scored 11 goals and managed eight assists in 45 League Two appearances last season and has one year left on his contract at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Football League World has named the Owls and the Terriers as two competitors to the U’s for Lisbie, whose twin brother, Kyrell, plays for third tier rivals Peterborough.

Lisbie is also the son of former Premier League and EFL striker, Kevin.

Colchester United’s Kyreece Lisbie (centre) celebrates (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

Matt Bloomfield’s Oxford held interest in the winger in January but were blocked alongside Reading FC from signing the player but Colchester United’s chairman.

An estimated fee of between £500-750K is Colchester’s current asking price.

Lisbie played for the academies of Leyton Orient, Watford and Brentford during his youth before experiencing his first taste of senior football for Cray Valley Paper Mills.

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He moved to Colchester from Brentford B in early 2025 and spent a brief time on loan with Braintree Town at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The Englishman won the Young Player of the Year award at Colchester’s end of season awards

After their relegation from the Championship, Oxford are looking to bolster and fill gaps in the squad after 15 players in total were released and had their loan spells end in OX4 last month.

Colchester United’s Kyreece Lisbie celebrates (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

The Yellows finished 22nd in the second tier, two places above rock-bottom side Wednesday with whom they are competing for Lisbie’s services.

After losing forward players like top scorer Will Lankshear, Myles Peart-Harris and Jamie Donley, more goals will be needed at the Kassam if they are to bounce straight back in League One.

Lisbie appeared on the right wing most frequently for Colchester last term, with the Essex club finishing 12th in the four tier.

Oxford only have supporters’ and players’ player of the year Stan Mills as a pure right midfielder and so the signing of the youngster would provide some healthy competition and quality backup for Mills.

The U’s are yet to make their first signing of the summer after the transfer window officially opened on Monday.