Oxford United sign Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle on loan

The 18-year-old will join the club on July 1, for the 2023/24 season.

United’s interest in Beadle was reported by the Oxford Mail last week.

He played for England at this year’s Under-20 World Cup and impressed on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Crewe Alexandra during the 2022/23 campaign, playing nine times after joining in January.

Beadle kept a clean sheet on his debut away to Walsall, keeping a further two shutouts in wins against Doncaster Rovers and Barrow.

An ankle injury sustained on Easter Monday brought an end to his temporary spell.

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Beadle told the U’s website: “I’m excited to get started at Oxford.

“I met with Liam Manning and was hugely impressed by his plans and how the club is set up. I’m really looking forward to playing my part in a successful season.”

Manning added: “He is highly rated and for good reason – he’s tall, athletic, commands his area and is a modern keeper who distributes the ball really well.

“Even though he’s only 18, he has a fantastic attitude, and we can’t wait to start working with him to continue his development.”

Head of recruitment Ed Waldron said: “James is a young man with a very bright future. He was excellent on loan at Crewe last season and, as a result, had a number of clubs in League One and in the Championship looking at him for his next loan, which is always a big stage in a player’s development.

“It’s great that he wants to come here, and further recognition that Premier League clubs like Brighton will send players out to us, knowing we will look after them and nurture the talent they have.”

Fellow goalkeeper Jack Stevens left United on an initial free transfer on Wednesday.

In a statement, the club said Stevens has joined Cambridge United ‘on an initial free transfer but with Oxford United retaining a future interest in the player’.

This newspaper understands that to be a sell-on clause.