Oxford United’s League One rivals secure key transfer deals

The U’s remain under a temporary transfer embargo which sees them banned from registering any new players until they prove their compliance with the EFL’s Squad Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) regulations.

Oxford brought in one new player prior to the embargo being confirmed, with former Heart of Midlothian centre back joining on a free transfer.

He, however, has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury which will keep the 30-year-old side-lined for a number of months.

Meanwhile, United’s league rivals are making sure to strengthen ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The headline transfer news in the third-tier this week has been the loan transfer of Tommy Watson to Leicester City from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Watson joins on a season-long loan deal after just a year at Brighton having arrived from Sunderland last summer.

The 20-year-old scored the winning goal which saw the Black Cats beat Sheffield United in the 2024/25 Championship play-off final at Wembley despite already agreeing a £10 million move to the south coast.

He played just 10 times for the Seagulls and spent the second half of last season at Millwall.

Watson now drops down to the third tier in an attempt to help Leicester bounce back to the Championship after relegation alongside the U’s last term.

Elsewhere, MK Dons have continued to make waves in the window by bringing in former Middlesbrough winger Sam Silvera.

Middlesbrough’s Samuel Silvera celebrates scoring (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

The newly-promoted Dons have brought in the winger on a free transfer after he was released by Boro at the end of last season.

It is another statement signing for Paul Warne’s side, with the Australian a first-choice name for the Teessiders last season until injury curtailed his season.

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The 25-year-old scored eight goals in 65 appearances for Boro.

Most recently, Oxford have seen Will Vaulks leave for League Two club Tranmere Rovers from whose academy he graduated.

Will Vaulks applauds Oxford United fans after win at Preston North End (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

The 32-year-old departs after two years at the club, playing 88 times.

Oxford’s first opponents of the season, Leyton Orient who they face in the Carabao Cup on Saturday, are in the midst of a fight to keep hold of star striker Dom Ballard.

The 21-year-old, who scored 23 goals and managed five assists in League One last year, is the target of Championship club Bristol City who are reportedly making a final push to sign the striker.

The Robins have offered £5 million for Ballard’s services, according to reporter Alan Nixon, with the O’s having held firm but are resigned to losing the prolific goal scorer.

Other moves in the division see Ollie Cooper join Notts County on loan from Swansea City and Stockport County sign Luca Ashby-Hammond after leaving Plymouth Argyle.