Tough-tackling midfielder Martin Thomas says he opted for third division Oxford United rather than second division Brighton because of the impression new boss Mark Wright made on him - and because he is convinced it's a club on the up.

The 27-year-old, who won third division championship winners' medals with Swansea in the 1999-2000 season and Brighton in 2000-2001, was only at the south coast club for a month, and only started one match, but still did enough to earn the promise of a new contract.

Martin Thomas

Yet Wright's intervention persuaded him to swap Withdean Stadium for The Kassam Stadium.

"When I came back off holiday, I learned Mark Wright wanted to speak to me. He laid out his ideas and his ambitions and I thought it was a good club to join.

"I was very impressed by him, he knew exactly what he wanted. He laid out what he wanted from me and what he expected from the team.

Thomas, who was a trainee with Southampton and played for Leyton Orient and Fulham before his move to Swansea in 1998, is well known in the game as a tireless worker who also knows how to shoot. He has around 25 goals to his name in around 160 starts.

"I try my best and try to work hard," he said. "I like to get forward when I can.

"I've been lucky enough to have been in title-winning teams with Fulham, Swansea and Brighton, and hopefully, it will continue at Oxford.

"I've not seen the new stadium yet, but I've heard a lot about it. I know Ian McGuckin from my time at Fulham, and I know Andy Scott.

"Training has been hard in the heat this week, and we've done a lot of running. But I'm very excited about the new season and can't wait to get started. I'm especially looking forward to the second match of the season, back at my old club Swansea."

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