Oxford United are reportedly on the brink of securing former Cheltenham Town winger Jordan Thomas, with head coach Aaron Ramsey keen to add a local favourite to a squad that sits 22nd in the Championship, 47 points from 46 games and recent form LWLLW.
Jordan Thomas, 25, grew up in Oxford and spent his youth years with the U's before moving into non‑league football. After spells at Didcot Town, North Leigh and Bath City, he impressed at Cheltenham Town, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 43 appearances last season. His left‑footed pace and crossing ability make him a natural fit for the left wing, offering a contrast to right‑footed Stan Mills.
Ramsey took charge last month, inheriting a side that lost 2‑0 to Millwall on 2 May 2026 and has struggled to climb out of the relegation zone. The U's have already added centre‑back Frankie Kent on a free transfer, and Thomas would be the second free signing aimed at shoring up depth. Ed Waldron, head of football operations, has stressed the club’s intent to “get deals done” after a busy off‑season of board and recruitment changes.
The left‑footed winger would give Ramsey a genuine alternative to the right‑wing specialist Stan Mills, who remains the only natural right midfielder. Thomas’s record of eight goals and six assists shows he can contribute both scores and service, a welcome addition for a side that has conceded 59 goals this season, a -14 goal difference.
If the deal is sealed before the pre‑season ends, Thomas could feature in the upcoming EFL Trophy group, where Oxford United will meet Cheltenham Town again. The next league fixture is an away clash with Aldershot Town on 21 July 2026, offering a chance for Ramsey to test the new signing in a competitive environment.
With the club 48 points behind leaders Coventry, every point matters. Adding a player familiar with the city and eager to prove himself could spark a late‑season surge. Ramsey’s early moves suggest a willingness to blend experience with home‑grown talent, a strategy that may pay off as the battle for survival intensifies.
