OXFORD United skipper Elliott Moore has signed a new ‘long-term’ deal with the club.
The 26-year-old centre back follows Simon Eastwood, Stephan Negru and Gatlin O’Donkor in agreeing fresh terms with the U’s in recent weeks.
Moore’s previous deal was due to expire in the summer of 2025, although the length of his latest contract has not been disclosed by the club.
He said: “With a few of the boys signing new deals and extensions, I think that shows what everyone wants to do and what everyone wants to get.
“We can see the way the club’s going and we want to be a part of it.
“I’m very happy to have signed an extension and I’m raring to get going, starting on Saturday.
“I’m very grateful that the club have done what they’ve done, but it’s now down to me to say thanks by doing it on the pitch.”
READ ALSO: Midfielder felt ‘more part of it’ following managerial change
Moore joined United from Leicester City for an undisclosed fee in August 2019.
He highlighted his leadership as one of the key attributes to have developed most during his time with the U’s so far.
“This is my fifth year, I’ve had so many experiences over that – good, bad and indifferent,” said Moore.
“I think that grows you as a player. You learn how to deal with certain situations.
“I think the leadership has grown. The gaffer’s put a lot more responsibility on me, which is good and something I’ve taken well.
“I think I’ve grown up as a person on and off the pitch, that’s the main thing I’d say that’s changed.”
United head coach Liam Manning said: “Elliott’s been terrific since I came in. He’s a great guy to chat to and extremely intelligent.
“In terms of what we’re trying to create here and what we’re trying to build, he’s huge for that.
“If you look at the course of the season so far, he’s gone from strength to strength in terms of his performances, and I think he’s really developed his leadership and his communication skills.
“He’s stepping up in the changing room and driving the culture.”
Manning is also delighted to see Moore become the fourth of his first team squad to commit their long-term future to the club, after 11 new players were added during the summer transfer window.
He said: “There was so much work done in the summer to add the new faces that we needed to.
“When you look at it with Easty, Steph, Ell and Gats, it’s a case of making sure we do what we need to do in-house to continue building the squad for the rest of the season and beyond that.”
Head of recruitment Ed Waldron told the club website: “I actually think Elliott has got better with each season he has spent here.
“He is strong, physically and mentally, and fits in really well with the way we want to play.
“It’s another good thing for us to be planning ahead, knowing that Elliott, Jordan Thorniley and Stephan Negru have all agreed long-term deals this summer and defensively that gives us a great platform to build from.”
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
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel