Oxford United ‘closing in’ on League Two free agent signing

The U’s are after their second addition ahead of the League One season after the arrival of Frankie Kent on a free transfer.

The Oxford squad reported back for pre-season last week as Aaron Ramsey undertook his first sessions as new head coach after taking over from Matt Bloomfield last month.

Head of football operations Ed Waldron reassured fans that the club is ready to ‘get deals done’ after an off-season of change in the recruitment department and at board level, with head of recruitment Scott Mitchell departing for Leyton Orient last month.

United have now been linked with free agent Thomas as they look to bring more new names through the door.

According to The 72 , the club is ‘closing in’ on the signing of the wide midfielder following his departure from League Two side Cheltenham Town.

Oxford United’s new head coach Aaron Ramsey (Image: Newsquest)

Thomas impressed for the Robins last season and drew interest from third-tier outfits Barnsley and Lincoln City in the January window.

The 25-year-old particularly impressed during an FA Cup tie with Leicester City in which Cheltenham were defeated.

Thomas already has links to Oxford having been born and raised in the city, and spent his youth career with the U’s.

He left and began his senior career in 2020 with Oxfordshire non-league club Didcot Town before stepping up a level and joining another Oxfordshire-based outfit in North Leigh a year later.

The winger joined Bath City in 2023 and impressed in the National League South, reportedly drawing interest from Championship clubs Bristol City, Swansea City and Cardiff City.

Thomas joined Cheltenham after six months in Bath but recently left the club after his contract expired.

Congratulations to Jordan Thomas who is the Norwegian Robins Player of the Season! @cheltenhamno @jordan_thomas11 #ctfc pic.twitter.com/6cQezUQwUt

— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) May 2, 2026

Scoring eight goals and managing six assists in 43 appearances last term, the former U’s youth player was a standout in a Robins side which avoided relegation and finished 18th in the fourth tier.

Oxford have been drawn in the same group as the Gloucestershire-based club in the group stage of the EFL Trophy this season.

The left-footed wide man would provide good depth to the U’s and is someone tipped for a step up in the English football pyramid.

As an alternative to the right-footed Stan Mills on the right wing, Thomas would provide a different option with Mills currently the only natural right midfielder at the club.