Oldham Athletic completed the signing of young goalkeeper Mark Oxley from Premiership side Hull City today.
The Sheffield-born keeper has represented England at under-18 and under-20 level but has made only one appearance for Hull since his arrival in 2008 and didn’t feature in their promotion campaign.
Oxley, 22, has been at Hull since August 2008 but has spent the majority of this time on loan at Walsall, Grimsby Town and Burton Albion.
Despite this the former England youth international has amassed only seven senior appearances.
However this lack of game time has not dented Hull’s belief in the young keeper’s potential as they recently agreed a further two-year contract with the player.
Oxley will provide much needed cover in net after Latics keepers Alex Cisak joined Burnley and Dean Bouzanis was released.
The club revealed in a statement that manager Lee Johnson had been to watch Oxley play and that the shot-stopper had impressed with his ‘physical presence’.
He told the club’s website: “We have had Mark watched and believe he is ready to play. It is important for a keeper to be a number one and be a massive part of the club.
“He has to be a spiritual leader and, having done a lot of due diligence, we are hopeful he will push on with.”
Both Oldham and Hull will now be hoping the keeper takes this chance to make his mark on the professional game.
Oxley is Oldham’s fourth summer signing as they look to build a squad ready to push on following survival last year.
Picture courtesy of Mattythewhite via Wiki Commons, with thanks
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