OXFORD City have completed the signing of a former Paris Saint-Germain youth captain.
Jean-Baptiste Fischer, 24, left Sky Bet League One side Wycombe Wanderers in the summer and has impressed while on trial with the Hoops.
The midfielder’s career so far has taken in a range of sides, but he is now ready to stamp his mark at City.
Fischer’s football journey started with PSG, where he captained junior teams, before leaving to undertake an International Business degree at Georgetown University in the United States.
There he helped the university team win the National Championship in 2019, and three other league titles.
READ ALSO: Young forward the latest to commit future to Banbury United
Fischer then moved to the UK to study at Swansea University, and trained with the Swansea City Under-23s, before joining Wycombe.
Last season, he joined Braintree Town on loan, helping the Iron avoid relegation from the Vanarama National League South.
After signing for Ross Jenkins’ side, Fischer said: “I’m very happy to be at this club, it looks like a great club to be in. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Oxford.
“I’m very excited to get going and play games in this very offensive style of football, which I really like.
“England is in my opinion, the best place to play football because of the fans, the environment and the amount of clubs.”
On his time at PSG, he added: “I was team captain for a while, I played from six to about 18 years old, and then at 18, I was in front of a dilemma where I wanted to go professional.
“My parents also wanted me to play football but also wanted me to have a proper education, and I think the United States offered a perfect offer for me, to be able to go to university while playing for that university’s team.
“It’s a very professional scene over there, it’s the best amateur football you can get.
“I played four years in the US after my experience at PSG, it was really successful and I had a great time.
“In our last year, we managed to win the National Championship, which was an incredible year.
“I played at Swansea for a little bit, Swansea University was a bit similar to the US in terms of education and playing for the team as well.”
READ MORE: Oxford United snap up experienced winger after spell in Bulgaria
Despite Fischer’s pedigree, Jenkins warned the midfielder would have to earn his place.
“Everyone’s got a good pedigree, whether that’s in France or England,” the Hoops head coach said.
“The main thing is where he is now, and his career is needing games and more exposure.
“He’s got leadership qualities, I know him through the Wycombe connection so I know quite a bit about him.
“He went on loan last season and we saw a good little chunk of him. He’s going to add more quality, but you do need to earn your place.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here