OXFORD United winger Mark Angel joined up with his old boss Denis Smith again by moving to West Bromwich Albion today on a free transfer.

Angel, 22, paid the price for being in a position where United have a surplus of riches.

He found himself fourth choice left winger under Malcolm Shotton behind Joey Beauchamp, Paul Powell and Jamie Cook and was still unable to get into the squad when Beauchamp was used on the right flank.

The former Sunderland player's days at the Manor Ground seemed numbered when he had to play second fiddle to local youngster Cook at the end of last season.

Now Shotton hopes to put to use the money that will be saved from releasing Angel's wages, towards another player.

"From my point of view Mark was going to make way for somebody else. we wish him all the best and hope he does well at West Brom where he will start off as cover.

"We have a number of people who play in that position with Joey, Paul and Cooky. I have targeted areas in the team that need strenghtening and releasing a wage here should help in that respect."

Angel made just 11 starts last season, scoring once, a cracking goal against his old club Sunderland in United's 3-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light, and altogether he made around 60 appearances for Oxford in three seasons.

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