Oxford United are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Chris Hargreaves. Chris will, of course, need little introduction to most United fans, having worn his heart on his sleeve throughout the two seasons he spent with The U's from 2005. He signed today until the end of the season.

With over 600 appearances since first breaking in to Grimsby's side and with 25 games this season as captain at Torquay he brings a wealth of experience as manager Chris Wilder acknowledges:

"We are absolutely delighted to add Chris to the players we have. Once we knew of his availability we expressed an interest because we know that Chris brings a lot of great attributes at a very busy and hectic time.

"He has been instrumental in Torquay's success over the last two years and been playing regular football in the Football League. His fitness is exemplary and he doesn't miss many games in any season. We felt in the second part of the season we needed somebody in and around the dressing room and on the pitch with presence and experience of winning big games and winning promotion.

"He has such a desire to do well for this club. As soon as I spoke to him you could sense that hunger to come back and help us succeed in the second half of the season."

Chairman Kelvin Thomas believes this is an important signing as United push in to a key stage of the season:

"Chris is exactly the type of player that I think will help us in the last few months of the season. His experience of both the football club and the position we are in will be invaluable. He has been in and around the top of this league for the last four years and is a player that offers something a little different to the midfielders we currently have.

"Even in talking to Jim Smith last week for his opinion, he said that he thought that he had probably let Chris go a little early, because he was missed around the changing room and the club the following season."

"Chris Wilder firmly believes that his qualities will be key during the most important months of the season and even though a lot has been said in public about this move, we are just pleased to have come to a compromise between Torquay United, the player and ourselves.

"Chris is as fit as a fiddle and has played 23 games in League Two this season. He has a great strength of character which was evident this weekend when after everything that went on last week he went on to captain Torquay on Saturday and put in a Man of the Match performance. Torquay fans are sorry to see him go, but we look forward to him becoming part of an already strong squad."