Oxford united FC
Oxford United’s League One rivals secure Premier League transfers
Yellows head coach Aaron Ramsey confirmed last week that the club has agreed a deal for Mills to move to Preston North End in the Championship.
It brings an end to weeks of rumours linking the winger to PNE, however the 22-year-old still missed out on action in Oxford’s first game of the league season after asking not to play that morning.
The U’s drew 2-2 with newly-promoted MK Dons at home, centre back Ciaron Brown bagging a last-gasp equaliser to rescue a point.
While Ramsey’s side remain under a temporary transfer embargo, clubs across the third tier have continued to strengthen with some recruiting Premier League players.
Most recently, last season’s play-off finalists, Stockport County, have signed winger Ethan Ennis from Manchester United.
The 21-year-old joins on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee after scoring three times in League Two for Fleetwood Town on loan last season.
A product of the Red Devils’ academy, Ennis never made a first-team appearance for the Premier League giants but will be looking to make a name for himself in Jimmy McNulty’s side.
Coming from the other half of Manchester, league rivals Luton Town have brought in winger Emilio Lawrence on loan.
The young wide man arrives from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal after spending the second half of last season with the Hatters.
20-year-old Lawrence scored twice in 21 appearances for Jack Wilshere’s Hatters – Wilshere is a former Arsenal teammate of U’s boss Ramsey.
With the two clubs mentioned so far completing signings of a youthful nature, AFC Wimbledon have brought in someone with vast EFL experience.
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The Dons have signed 34-year-old Andy Yiadom on a deal until January.
The defender has almost 400 appearances in the EFL with the likes of Reading, Barnet and Barnsely, spending a hefty eight years with the Royals.
During those eight years, the Ghana international won player of the season – in 2021/22 – and played over 250 times for the Berkshire club.
Looking north, third-tier giants Sheffield Wednesday are reportedly looking at Premier League reinforcement.
According to The Star, the Owls are ‘edging in’ on the signing of Liverpool starlet Kieran Morrison.
Henrik Pedersen’s side have held positive talks as they aim to bring in the 19-year-old on a season-long loan.
The Northern Ireland international is a right winger who can also play as an attacking midfielder and was previously linked to clubs higher up the pyramid in Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bristol City.
Morrison would join names such as former Barcelona and Aston Villa striker Louie Barry and returning club legend Barry Bannan in strengthen the recently-relegated club.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
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But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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