OXFORD United have revealed which academy players will remain at the club next season.
Five youngsters will be released when their scholarships end in June including Clinton Nosakhare, Adam Smith and Ben Watt, who were all part of first-team squads in the Papa John’s Trophy earlier in the campaign.
Centre back Nosakhare made his senior debut as a half-time substitute in the 4-1 defeat at Cambridge United on August 31.
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Also moving on are youth-team captain Mac Masters, who returned from injury to skipper his home town club this season, and midfielder Elijah Coe.
Meanwhile, United have triggered the option in Tyler Goodrham’s contract that sees the forward remain with the U's for an extra 12 months.
This season, the 18-year-old has impressed on loan at Pitching In Southern League Premier South side Hayes & Yeading United and Slough Town, who play in Vanarama National League South.
Goodrham signed his first professional deal last summer.
Goalkeeper Eddie Brearey, who twice made the bench in Sky Bet League One following a Covid outbreak in the squad, will also stay on for 2022/23.
Centre back James Golding also remains with United after signing his first professional contract last week.
The 17-year-old made his senior debut against Tottenham Hotspur in the Papa John’s Trophy in October and has recently impressed on loan at Pitching In Southern League Premier Central leaders Banbury United.
United are yet to make a decision on second-year scholars Will Owens and Josh Anifowose, who are injured and on loan respectively.
Anifowose came on as a second-half substitute in the Trophy games against Cambridge and Spurs.
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All United’s scholars have continued their football and academic development amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic and academy manager Dan Harris paid tribute to the group.
“There is no doubt that the Covid landscape of the last two years has impacted on many of us across society and this particular age group, perhaps more than most, have certainly had to deal with a pretty unique set of challenges as they have gone through their scholarships,” he told the club's official website.
“Whether it be Mac Masters captaining his hometown youth team after fighting back from injury, players overcoming the loss of loved ones during the season, Josh, Clinton, Will, Adam and Eddie having to travel significant distances as they adjusted to the reality of life on loan or Ben, Elijah and others working through rehabilitation outside on the grass during the height of the Covid pandemic – to a man each of these individuals can be proud of the way they have contributed to Oxford United and of the football and academic progress they have made during this time.
“Whilst, as is often the case in this industry, the majority of this group won’t be returning for the new season once their scholarship ends in June, we will certainly work with each player to ensure the progress they have made during their time with Oxford becomes the platform for further success in the next step of their academic and footballing journey.”
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