Oxford United midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker signs for Bristol City

The 26-year-old joins on a loan deal with an option to buy on transfer deadline day.

De Keersmaecker leaves the Yellows after not making an appearance since January in a 2-1 win at Leicester City.

Having joined in the summer of 2025 from Dutch side Heracles Almelo, the centre midfielder made 28 appearances in all competitions for the U’s and scored one goal.

Prior to joining United, De Keersmaecker captained Heracles and won their Player of the Year award in the 2024/25 season.

The Belgian was a standout player for the U’s until his injury which saw him choose to have surgery on his shoulder early in the year, seeing him miss the remainder of the Championship season as Oxford were relegated.

Former head coach Matt Bloomfield said at the time: “”The club invested heavily in Brian last summer and he was a big signing for the football club, we thought he could recover and play and it’s really frustrating that he won’t.”

De Keersmaecker did not feature throughout pre-season under new head coach Aaron Ramsey and did not play in any of the Yellows’ first four competitive fixtures.

After earlier illness keeping him absent, Ramsey stated that the now-Bristol City man had ‘a lot of catching up to do’ given his extended period without game time.

Oxford said in a statement on their website: “We would like to wish Brian all the best for his time with Bristol City.”

Upon joining, Robins manager Michael Skubala said: “We are pleased to add depth to our midfield and Brian will add that as well as quality.

“He also knows where the back of the net is and we are looking forward to working with him.”

Brian De Keersmaecker has joined Bristol City (Image: Jason Dawson)

City’s sporting director, James Ellis, thanked Oxford for helping get the deal done: “Brian is a quality midfielder who has a lot of experience in Holland and last season with Oxford United in the Championship.

“He will give us more options in the centre of the pitch and help us with our squad depth and create some more versatility.

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“We have been aggressive with our signings, with the vast majority done early in the window, and in our final sequence this opportunity has arisen for a player we have tracked for a long time.

“We are very grateful to Oxford, and especially Aaron Ramsey and Ed Waldron, for helping us get this one completed.”

De Keersmaecker had a goal against his new side awarded to Greg Leigh who got a touch on his in-swinging cross in the final moments.

He then scored for certain against Preston North End at the Kassam Stadium in a 2-1 Championship defeat.