Winger signs two-year deal after joining on a free transfer

MITCHELL Cole has signed for Oxford United.

The winger, who has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, endured a frustrating season with Boro last term as injury and inconsistent form limited him to just 25 starts for the club.

Cole, 24, had been linked with a move to Blue Square Premier side Cambridge United earlier in the summer, but Cambridge boss Martin Ling thought the deal too expensive, and so the long-serving midfielder signed a deal with Oxford United instead.

The former West Ham Academy player played more than 150 games for Boro during his time at the club, and last season scored a seven minute hat-trick at Eastbourne Borough, but despite his versatility was not a first XI regular during last season’s title winning campaign and with the arrival of wingers Robbie Sinclair and Peter Winn at the club this summer has decided to move on.

Speaking about his new signing, Oxford chairman Kelvin Thomas told his club’s website: “We enquired about Mitchell during last season but at the time nothing happened so we are very pleased for him to become available on a free transfer.

“I think he felt it was time for a fresh challenge on the football front as he has joined us with bigger financial offers available to him elsewhere.”