Emakhu’s national team announced their squad for their May friendly against Grenada which included seven new faces.

One of those is The U’s 22-year-old forward who receives his first call-up to his country’s senior side.

Emakhu has appeared previously for the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 and Under-19 teams.

For the U21s, he has played 12 times, scoring four goals and assisting twice.

Oxford United’s Aidomo Emakhu and Wrexham’s Issa Kabore battle for the ball (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

The Boys in Green missed out on qualification last month for this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, losing out on penalties to Czechia in the qualifying play-off semi-final.

Former Millwall man Emakhu joined The Yellows in the January transfer window on deadline day in search of more game time after being utilised as an impact substitute for the majority of his time at The Den.

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The Irishman struggled to find form in his first couple of months in yellow whilst Oxford found rhythm in their performances.

Emakhu eventually found his way into the starting XI after a couple of promising substitute apeparances late in the season, starting the final two Championship games against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall.

Unfortunately, Oxford were relegated prior to kick-off against Wednesday, sentencing Emakhu and co. to League One football for the 2026/27 season.

Wright played over 200 times for The U’s in a six-year spell at the club.

After seeing out his career in non-league over the past few years, the ex-Oxford defender has been appointed first team manager of Nottinghamshire-based club Sherwood Colliery.

The club compete in the United Counties League Premier Division North – step nine and ten of non-league football – and is another of Wright’s former clubs.

The now-manager helped The Wood to promotion in the 2023/24 season and returns to take charge of the side.

READ MORE: Premier League club ‘agrees deal’ with Oxford transfer chief

READ MORE: Oxford United star earns first senior international call-up

Wright has a good legacy at Oxford.

After a successful loan spell from Brighton and Hove Albion, he joined The Yellows permanently and helped the club achieve promotion back to the Football League.

The former centre back went on to lead the club as captain to second in League Two and promotion to the third tier in the 2015/16 season before leaving the club by mutual consent that summer and joining Sheffield United where he spent four years.

His first appearance for The Blades was against his former club, Oxford.

Wright played for other established English clubs either side of his time at United, including Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers.

The U’s have confirmed changes to its board and chair, with the appointment of two directors and a new chairman.

Ferguson has stepped down from his role as chairman after four years but will remain on the board of directors.

Replacing Ferguson is Dusan Bogdanovic, a figure who has served at board and executive level previously in professional football and who the club says brings ‘extensive experience’.

New Oxford United chairman Dusan Bogdanovic pictured here with U’s owner Erick Thohir and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in December 2024. 🤝

(via @dusan.ph on Instagram) #oufc 🟡https://t.co/hnkQLRsx5e pic.twitter.com/1Rylrf07Lu

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) May 6, 2026

Also joining the board is Rudi Laksmana who, like Ferguson, is a former Inter Milan board member.

United says that the two new additions ‘are part of the club’s ongoing commitment to driving football performance, improving strategic direction and progression both on and off the pitch’.

The club also said: “These appointments reflect Oxford United’s continued focus on strengthening its leadership, governance and long-term planning as the club looks ahead positively to the future.”

The full board at The U’s now consists of Ferguson, Bogdanovic, Laksmana, Anindya Bakrie, and Sumrith “Tiger” Thanakarnjanasuth.

It is understood that Bogdanovic worked for the football agency Level Up Asia of which Oxford winger Marselino Ferdinan is signed to.

He has been pictured previously with Oxford’s owner, Erick Thohir, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.