STUART Findlay has joined Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock on a season-long loan.

The 27-year-old centre back signed for Oxford United almost a year ago to the day, on July 19, and made 44 appearances for the club last season.

United’s move for Findlay last summer ended a three-year wait to get his signature, with the club having been interested in the Scotland international since 2019.

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However, the arrival of Jordan Thorniley from Blackpool this summer meant Findlay was likely to drop down the pecking order at the U’s, with Thorniley and Ciaron Brown both also left-sided centre backs, although Brown has played predominantly as a left back for United.

Findlay’s exit was hinted at when the squad returned for pre-season training as he sported the number 35 shirt on his training gear, having worn the four shirt last season.

Thorniley has been wearing the number four during pre-season training.

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After signing for an undisclosed fee from Major League Soccer club Philadelphia Union last summer, Findlay has a contract with the U’s which runs until 2026.

His loan with Kilmarnock will be his fourth spell with the club, and third on a temporary basis.

Findlay spent the 2015/16 and 2017/18 campaigns on loan at Kilmarnock, and joined permanently in July 2018, before moving to Philadelphia Union in February 2021.

The Rugby Park outfit finished 10th in Scotland’s first tier last season.