OXFORD United have completed the signing of Chey Dunkley from Kidderminster Harriers.

The 22-year-old centre back passed a medical this morning to finalise what is initially a loan move until January 1, but when the transfer window opens it will become a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

It was held up due to Dunkley captaining the England C team on Tuesday night, but the former Crewe Alexandra trainee had no hesitation about joining the U’s.

He said: “It’s a club that’s looking to do things in this league.

  • Latest United news:

“It’s a big club and everybody I’ve spoken to says it is a really good club that shouldn’t really be where it is at the moment, it should be higher.

“There wasn’t much that needed to be sold to me but when I had a meeting with the gaffer he showed that ambition.

“I was happy with that and it was almost a no-brainer to put pen to paper.”

U’s boss Michael Appleton said: “You can see he has a physical presence, he’s a good header of the ball and he’s a very good athlete.

“He’s very raw but he’s had a good upbringing at Crewe and we want to work with him and improve him in possession.

“He will have an opportunity to do that with Oxford.”

As part of the deal, United defender Sam Long has joined Kidderminster on a youth loan until New Year’s Day.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.