JAMIE Cumming has signed for Oxford United on a permanent basis, following his loan spell last season.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper had a year left on his contract at Chelsea, but the club and player came to an agreement which has enabled him to leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.

Cumming joined the U’s on loan in January, as a replacement for James Beadle, who was recalled by his parent club Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of a loan switch to Sheffield Wednesday.

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After initially taking time to find his feet at United, Cumming went on to play an important role in the club’s promotion from Sky Bet League One.

That was most notable at the end of the season, in particular during the play-off semi-final second leg at Peterborough United.

After signing for the U’s on a permanent basis, Cumming said: “It was always part of the idea that if we got promoted, I’d come back here and keep developing.

“I think it makes a lot of sense. I already know everyone at the club, all the staff, all the players, and I can really kick on now, and make this my home.

“The loans can be draining, going somewhere new every six months, but to come here and know this is my home now for the next few years, it takes a weight off my shoulders.

“There was a massive turning point towards the back end of the season, where all the fans came together and it felt like one big city.

“We need to replicate that this season, and we can really make the Kassam a really hard place to come because the atmosphere against Peterborough, for example, was something else.

“I feel like a lot of the games will be like the play-off games in a way. Every game we go to is going to be a big stadium and a big club.

“I think we found a way of playing where that might suit us. We don’t want to be a club that just comes up to survive. We’re really good on the transition and that can suit us.”

Cumming played 23 times for United last season, and kept seven clean sheets.

He added: “I had a couple of tough moments earlier in the season, but even through those moments, the fans were always with me and singing my name.

“That meant a lot to me in that moment because it’s easy for fans to turn. The support they showed me paid off in the end, and that’s why I’m delighted to be back here.

“Towards the end of last season, the fans made a massive difference, especially with the home atmosphere.

“This season, every game is going to be a massive game, and I’m really excited to see if we can recreate that atmosphere from the back end of last season.”