Oxford United have completed the signing of Ashley Smith-Brown on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old has played most of his games at left-back but is also versatile enough to play at right-back or in central midfield and has had loan spells at NAC Breda and Heart of Midlothian to help his development. Smith-Brown has been capped by England at every level from under 16 through to under 20 and United’s Caretaker Manager Derek Fazackerley was delighted to welcome him to the club
“He’s a good player who has been on our radar for a while now and when he became available in this window we moved quickly to bring him here. Having played for England through the age groups he fits the bill technically and athletically and to have played over 30 games in senior men’s football will only have helped him physically and in terms of regular competitive games.
“He is a natural left-back, a position where we have had to play a right footed player a number of times this season, so that will help us with balance, provides excellent competition for places, and also leaves us less vulnerable elsewhere because of his versatility.”
Ashley told us
“I’m looking forward to it. Oxford has a good reputation for helping young players like me learn and develop so it is a fantastic opportunity. There are a lot of really good players here and I can’t wait to train for the first time and hopefully be involved at Charlton on Saturday.”
See a first interview in iFollow