OXFORD United have added a fourth player during the January transfer window, with the addition of Cheltenham Town striker Will Goodwin.
The U’s fought off strong interest from Charlton Athletic, with both clubs reportedly bidding roughly £400,000 for the 21-year-old centre forward, who has scored six goals in 16 Sky Bet League One games so far this season.
Despite reports suggesting United offered better personal terms, the Oxford Mail understands it was in fact the Addicks who put forward a more lucrative financial package.
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U’s head coach Des Buckingham said: “It’s really pleasing and highlights the excellent work of Ed Waldron and the recruitment team. We highlighted the players we wanted going into the January window, and we’ve been able to secure a lot of them halfway through, rather than towards the end, or if not at all.
“To get the quality of Will in the front line is a good thing. We’ve got a way that we want to play, and off the back of that, we look for profiles of players that we feel can play in those positions.
“There are a lot of good players around the Football League, and sometimes you can go and get what you think the best player is, and often that doesn’t suit your style of football.
“We were very specific in the type of player we were looking for because of that. Will’s been on that recruitment list for a long time now, and then when he’s become available, we’ve been able to move.
“The fact he comes with some really good experiences in this league, and he’s shown that he can do it, puts us in a strong position.”
He added: “When people look at Will, I can understand why you’d see an old school centre forward where you play into him and off him, but he’s capable of actually playing football.
“We’ve got a way we want to play, and it’s very important he’s able to do that. He’s demonstrated already in this league that he can.
“The physical side of it is a bonus on top of that because it allows him to do other things from open play and set pieces that maybe others can’t.
“He’ll be a good addition to us, and it will be to complement what we already have.”
The Us reported that Goodwin has been recovering from a minor quad injury and will complete his rehabilitation with the club’s medical team before joining the squad for full training at the end of the month.
He opened his account for the campaign with a brace in a 3-2 defeat at Blackpool on October 24, before scoring in four consecutive games, beginning against United.
He scrambled in from close range to make it 2-0 in Buckingham’s first game as head coach, while further goals then followed against Charlton, Bristol Rovers and Leyton Orient.
Asked about his strengths as a striker, Goodwin said: “I’d say my hold-up play, the runs I make, and I feel like I’m an intelligent player, and I like to get in between the posts, and score goals. That’s what I’m looking to do here.”
He added: “The manager was ultimately why I wanted to come here. I’ve seen the plans he has for the club, and for myself.
“He’s got a plan in place and I think that will benefit myself in the long run.”
The U’s have also signed goalkeeper Jamie Cumming, plus wingers Tyler Burey and Kyle Edwards, this month.
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