OXFORD United have snapped up Sunderland midfielder Jay Matete on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old, who turns 23 in 10 days, signed for the Black Cats on January deadline day two years ago.

Matete agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal at the Stadium of Light, arriving from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee.

Transfer deadline day: All the updates from Oxford United and League One

He told the club website: “I’m really looking forward to it. I have played against Oxford plenty of times and know they like to play the game the right way.

“They are in a strong position, have good players and a great set-up. I can’t wait to get started.”

Head coach Des Buckingham said: “He has played a big part in both Sunderland and Plymouth doing well in this division, so he knows the league and what it takes to be successful in it.

“He is a very strong and powerful player who will bring additional strengths to our midfield. His ability to break play up and drive the team forward, along with a range of passing ability, will be important attributes to us between now and the end of the season.”

Head of recruitment Ed Waldron added: “He’s a player we have admired for a while now. He has dominated games against us at times with his commitment and energy.

“He is combative, very competitive and a great character who we believe will make a real impact here.

“We have had a really good window, and this now covers all bases. We have signed Jamie Cumming, Joe Bennett, Jay Matete, Kyle Edwards, Tyler Burey, Will Goodwin and Owen Dale.

“There has been a lot of hard work involved and I’d like to thank the board for backing us. With players also coming back from injury we look a lot stronger now than we did when the window opened. It’s going to be a very exciting end to the season.”

Matete made his Cod Army debut in September 2019, and then joined Grimsby Town on loan in January 2021, starting all 20 Sky Bet League Two games he featured in, while finding the net on three occasions.

After impressing for Fleetwood in the first half of the 2021/22 campaign, Sunderland then secured his services, and he appeared as a substitute in both legs of the Black Cats’ League One play-off semi-final victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

He was an unused substitute in the final, when Sunderland won 2-0 against Wycombe Wanderers.

Last season, he featured in eight Championship games for Sunderland, before joining Plymouth Argyle on loan in January, where he made 19 appearances as the Green Army lifted the League One title.