Oxford United defender Luke Foster has signed for Blue Square Premier rivals Mansfield Town.

The centre back, 24, who made 102 starts for United, scoring three times, has joined David Holdsworth’s side for an undisclosed fee.

Foster, who was player of the year and supporters’ player of the year in 2008, made his last U’s appearance in the 1-1 draw at Salisbury in December.

Last week he held talks with Cambridge United after being told by boss Chris Wilder that he would not be offered a new contract when his current deal ran out at the end of the season.

The former Lincoln centre back joined United in February 2007 after a trial from Stalybridge Celtic.

Under the terms of the deal, Foster will not be able to play when Oxford meet the Stags in the league on April 17.

Stevenage had made a vague enquiry, but Wilder was unwilling to sell him to their closest promotion rivals.

Meanwhile, Jack Midson hit a brace as United twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Brentford in a behind-closed-doors friendly yesterday.

He scored his first from an Antony Tonkin cross and completed his brace with a cool finish from a Sam Deering through ball.

Coach Mickey Lewis said: “The pros needed match time and had a very good attitude, and we saw some very encouraging signs from the youngsters.”

Oxford Utd: Turley, Batt, Creighton, Owen, Tonkin, Groves, Dobson, Deering, Wood-ley, Cook, Midson.