OXFORD United’s summer transfer window is up and running after completing a deal for Notts County attacker Ruben Rodrigues.

The 26-year-old officially joins the club on July 1 after completing a medical and agreeing personal terms on what the U’s have described as a ‘long-term deal’.

Rodrigues scored 19 goals and bagged 15 assists, to help the Magpies secure promotion to Sky Bet League Two during the 2022/23 season.

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He was offered a new contract by County, with his deal expiring this month, but a step up the football pyramid always seemed likely for the Portuguese forward.

United have reportedly beaten Championship side Cardiff City, plus League One rivals Barnsley and Derby County, to his signature.

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Rodrigues told the U’s website: “It’s an exciting move for me. I loved my time at Notts County, and last season was amazing, but this is a chance to test myself at a higher level.

“The way that the coach wants to play is similar to the way I like to play. The training facilities are great, the club has big ambitions, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Head coach Liam Manning added: “Ruben is a player that we watched a lot last season and he was involved in so many goals, both scoring and creating.

“We feel there is even more to come from him and can’t wait to see him in pre-season and to start working with him.”

Rodrigues, who was born in Portugal and brought up in the Netherlands, joined County in August 2020 and won the fans’ player of the season award during his debut campaign.

In total, he netted 51 times for the club in three seasons, including in the Vanarama National League play-off final against Chesterfield last month.

The playmaker volleyed home in the 108th minute to send the tie to penalties, and also scored in the shoot-out.

United’s head of recruitment, Ed Waldron, said: “There were a lot of clubs looking at him, which was hardly surprising given the way he has played for the last two seasons.

“For him to choose to come to Oxford, based on the way we want to play and where we see the club going, is a fantastic endorsement for us.

“Our work continues behind the scenes to keep building the squad, and this is a really exciting first arrival of the summer.”

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.