Striker Wes Thomas is Oxford United’s second Friday signing
Following the capture of defender Aaron Martin, centre-forward Wes Thomas also signed for Oxford United on Friday afternoon.
Twenty-nine-year-old Thomas was most recently on the books of Birmingham City and last season had loans with Swindon Town and Bradford City, missing Swindon’s JPT game against Oxford due to an injury received in the previous match. He joins United on a two-year deal.
He started his career with various non-league sides in London before joining Dagenham & Redbridge in 2008. From there he went to Cheltenham, where he had a prolific spell, including scoring against Oxford. That earned Thomas a move to Crawley Town, then in League One, followed by him joining Bournemouth, initially on loan.
Thomas had loan spells with Portsmouth and Blackpool, where he was managed by Michael Appleton at both clubs, eventually signing for Rotherham in January 2014. He gained promotion to the Championship with the Millers but left the club for Birmingham City in June that year.
On joining Oxford, Thomas told Yellow Player HD: “The gaffer didn’t need to sell the club to me. I know Michael Appleton and I watched Oxford last season and they were really impressive. It just made sense to join up with someone who got the best out of me as a player.”
Michael Appleton told oufc.co.uk: “When Wes became available on a free contract it was a no-brainer for me if I could get it done because I know what he’s about and how he works and what his character is. He’s played at this level and in the Championship. He’ll be a real threat.”
You can see Wes Thomas’s interview now in Yellow Player HD.