ERICK Thohir’s arrival can take Oxford United to the next level – but do not expect a flurry of spending in the January transfer window.

That’s the view of head coach Karl Robinson after the multi-millionaire Indonesian businessman’s long-anticipated appointment to the club’s board was confirmed.

Thohir brings a wealth of experience in sport, having served as Inter Milan chairman for five years before stepping down last month.

He has also owned Major League Soccer club DC United and was involved in a consortium which bought the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.

Given the background, which also includes a large media company in his homeland, he is a heavy-hitter financially.

On paper it is a huge coup for United and Robinson admitted the prospect of owner Sumrith ‘Tiger’ Thanakarnjanasuth bringing figures like Thohir on board was a big reason he took the job in March.

He said: “I knew when I first came here that this was in the pipeline.

“When Tiger first came in there was a lot of talk about ifs, buts and maybes.

“The reality of what we all knew is now coming to fruition.

“It’s been a game-changer since I walked into the building.

“I’ve known the capabilities of what we can do, but also there’s a restraint we have to work with as well.”

That means the strategy is on slow but steady progress, rather than a spending spree when the transfer window opens.

“This is not ‘go and blow my money’, it’s ‘can you build?’,” Robinson said.

“It’s what Brentford did. It’s what Brighton did. They got promoted, spent and built. It’s the building process that comes first, not just the expenditure.

“We’ve also seen teams like Leeds United just spend.

“You’ve got to get this first phase right and it costs more money to build, but you don’t always see the outcome immediately.

“It’s about steady and sustainable growth.”

Robinson, who left Charlton to take the plunge at United, pointed to his experience after getting Milton Keynes Dons promoted to the Sky Bet Championship as an example not to follow.

He said: “They had unbelievable progress to get promoted and then we sold our best players and did not buy anybody else.

“We have to have a youth programme, which with Dan Harris is getting better and better, a 23s under Chrissy Allen which is improving day by day.

“We’ve got players coming on from all over the world to trial and train at 18 and 19 in the hope of being a part of the club.

“We’re a long way from where we want to be, but it’s exciting times and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”