Three Oxford United stars set for breakout League One season

Matt Bloomfield’s U’s finished 22nd last season and will return to the third division after a two-year stint in the Championship.

With 10 out-of-contract players already out the door, Oxford have maintained a good core of players ready for next season.

There is work to be done to trim the fat of the squad, but there are a few Yellows names who have the opportunity to take the third tier by storm.

Tyler Goodrham

Hopefully the U’s academy product has not been forgotten by fans since his New Year’s Day injury which kept him out for the remainder of the season.

Goodrham shone in his last season in League One, which was a breakout year for the 22-year-old, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in 40 appearances.

Tyler Goodrham fires at goal (Image: Mike Allen)

After the departure of attacking midfielder Jamie Donley following the end of his loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur, there is an opportunity for the Wycombe-born midfielder to lock down the position.

With a full recovery, pre-season, and two years’ experience at a higher level, there is no reason why a hungry Goodrham cannot take League One by storm next season.

Aidomo Emakhu

After a slow start in OX4, the last few Championship fixtures saw the Irishman find some form and break into Bloomfield’s side.

Emakhu has three years’ second tier experience as an impact substitute with Millwall and Oxford and will relish the potential opportunity to play consistently at a level which he will surely fancy himself at.

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Aidomo Emakhu on the ball for Oxford United (Image: Jason Dawson)

United fans are yet to see the best of the 22-year-old, who recently made his first senior international appearance for the Republic of Ireland.

However, glimpses of direct, pacey, exciting wing play were demonstrated in substitute features against Derby County and Wrexham and a start against Sheffield Wednesday in the Yellows’ final few Championship games.

Jeon Jin-woo

Emakhu and Goodrham will not be without competition.

Jin-woo joined in January from the Korean league where he was highly-rated, but the transition to English football was always going to take a moment.

Oxford United winger Jeon Jin-woo (right) and head of football operations Ed Waldron (left) (Image: Jason Dawson)

The 26-year-old made eight appearances for the U’s in the second half of the season but it was not really enough to gage his true ability.

With a pre-season under his belt, Jin-woo has the opportunity to adjust to the English game and rise to the challenge of League One.

Naturally a winger, Bloomfield used the South Korean as an attacking midfielder on one or two occasions off the bench.