Oxford United confirm retained list ahead of League One

The U’s have been relegated from the Championship after a two-year stay, finishing 22nd in the league and four points from safety.

Oxford join Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday in stepping down to the third tier.

On Monday, The Yellows confirmed their list of retained players ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

10 players have been released by the club following the expiry of their contracts.

Przemysław Płacheta, Myles Peart-Harris, Hidde ter Avest, Owen Dale, Will Goodwin, Joshua Johnson, Jacob Knightbridge, Steph Negru, Tom Bradshaw and Stuart Findlay will all depart OX4.

Myles Peart-Harris on the ball in his U’s debut against MK Dons (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Head of football operations, Ed Waldron, told the club website: “I would like to place on record my thanks to each of the players departing the club for their contribution and professionalism during their time at Oxford United.

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“The recruitment process for the upcoming season has been underway for several months, and we will continue to look at ways to strengthen and improve the squad as we look to respond next season and push for promotion back to the Championship.”

Oxford United right back Hidde ter Avest (Image: Mike Allen)

Of the 10 released names, Dutch right back ter Avest is the only real surprise with the defender departing after two years at the club.

The 28-year-old played 36 times for The Yellows and scored one goal.

Oxford United winger Przemyslaw Placheta evades the challenge of Leicester City’s Jannik Vestergaard (Image: Mike Allen)

Polish winger Placheta is the most high-profile departure having played 60 matches for Oxford, scoring six goals and managing four assists.

The former Birmingham City and Norwich City man has been rumoured to be in talks with Major League Soccer outfit Austin FC in the United States.

Peart-Harris arrived in January from Premier League side Brentford on a contract until the end of the season and leaves having played 20 times, scoring on three occasions and assisting once.

Former Portsmouth and Blackpool winger Dale contributed to The U’s League One play-off winning 2023/24 campaign and leaves after spending the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle.

Oxford United have released winger Owen Dale (Image: Mike Allen)

Goodwin, Johnson, Knightbridge, and Negru are all players on the younger side who have recently been out on loan at lower league clubs having struggled to make strong enough impressions in OX4.

Experienced striker Bradshaw spent the second half of the season at Barnsley and leaves after 18 months at Oxford.

30-year-old defender Findlay departs after four years but having spent three of those on loan in Scotland.