Oxford United’s Michal Helik attracts Championship interest

The centre back has been at United since January 2025 and helped the club to safety in the second tier last season under Gary Rowett.

Oxford were unfortunately relegated this season, with the Pole playing 41 times and scoring once for Matt Bloomfield’s side.

According to sources in Poland, Helik has a buyout clause of €750,000 (£650,000) in his contract with Championship and Polish league clubs monitoring his situation this summer.

Michal Helik celebrates scoring for Oxford United (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

Helik joined the U’s from League One side Huddersfield Town and was in Yorkshire prior to that as well with Barnsley.

The 30-year-old has been in England for six years in total since joining the Tykes from Polish outfit Cracovia in 2020.

Several clubs in the Polish Ekstraklasa are reportedly interested in the seven-time Poland international.

According Goal.pl, Championship rivals Derby County were keen on Helik in January of this year but the Yellows wanted to keep the towering defender.

In his 18 months in OX4, the former Terriers man has played 65 times, scoring 6 goals and assisting four.

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Helik has played most of his career in the Championship with his three English clubs with 221 appearances in the competition.

In League One, the Pole would be a strong option but, at 30 years of age, may want one last stint in the second tier.

The drop into the third tier with Oxford is Helik’s third relegation in English football having been demoted from the Championship with both Barnsley and Huddersfield prior to this season with the Yellows.

Michal Helik heads the ball for Oxford United against Stoke City (Image: Mike Allen)

He was a key part of United’s survival in 2024/25, however, scoring five goals in 20 appearances since his January addition as his side stayed up under Rowett.

Helik won the Polish Cup in 2020 with former club Cracovia.

Upon joining Oxford in early 2025, the U’s number six said: “I am joining this club because I can see the ambition. This is the right place for me because there is a drive to improve and that matches my ambition.

“I am experienced but also very hungry to learn and improve every day. I am ready to fight for this badge and I want to achieve our goals together. I am still improving, the best is yet to come from me.”

Oxford recently announced their retained list, confirming that 10 players would depart the club upon the expiry of their contracts this summer.

Head coach Bloomfield confirmed that there would not be an overhaul of the squad this summer as the club prepares for a return to League One.