JAMES Beadle became Oxford United’s fourth signing of the summer when he arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion on loan.

The 18-year-old will spend the campaign with United and is highly regarded at the Amex Stadium.

Beadle played for England at this summer’s Under-20 World Cup and impressed on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Crewe Alexandra last season.

We caught up with The Argus sports reporter Brian Owen to find out more about the teenage goalkeeper.

READ ALSO: Where could Oxford United look to for a new centre forward?

Is Beadle in the mould of the modern ‘sweeper keeper’ and able to play with the ball at his feet?

Yes, or ‘playmaker keeper’. Beadle is very confident and capable with the ball at his feet – which is pretty much an essential quality for Brighton goalkeepers. I recall him giving a goal away with a poor pass in an Under-23s game late in the 2021/22 season but he was unshaken by that and continued to play his passes in that game and ever since. He will have worked closely with senior goalkeeping staff at Brighton, and travelled and warmed up with the first team for some Premier League games before joining Crewe.

Oxford Mail: Click here to sign up to the Oxford United newsletter Click here to sign up to the Oxford United newsletter (Image: Newsquest)

How did Beadle fare at Crewe in League Two last season?

He had to wait for his chance but impressed on debut at Walsall and made a stunning save in the opening minutes of his first home game. Reports back from Crewe were good and former Brighton skipper Gordon Greer, who now takes care of players out on loan, said in late March: “Since he’s got into the team, he’s been excellent. I’ve been to a few of his games and now for him it’s about finding that consistency and playing as he is for the rest of the season.”

Do you think he’s ready for League One football?

He is ready for that test. League One is the next logical step for Beadle after proving himself in League Two. The move is in line with the sort of process we have seen with goalkeepers Robert Sanchez (Forest Green, then Rochdale) and Carl Rushworth (Walsall, then Lincoln) in terms of taking steps up the EFL with each loan. The best example of this was actually a defender – Ben White, who, in successive seasons went to Newport (L2), Peterborough (L1) and Leeds (Championship). Whether he is ready to impress in League One is for Oxford to find out.

How highly rated is Beadle behind the scenes at Brighton?

Very highly, although he is probably behind Rushworth in the pecking order. The goalposts are constantly moving for young players looking to break into the senior squad as they make progress through the divisions and now into the upper reaches of the Premier League. But he has time on his side.

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
  • Advert-light access 
  • Reader rewards 
  • Full access to our app

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.