Having gained promotion to the Bundesliga last season, Holsten Kiel are reportedly keeping tabs on Oxford United forward Mark Harris.
The in-form striker was rumoured to be the subject of an inquiry from the German side before the summer transfer window closed but a deal could not be completed with the newly-promoted side rumoured to be keeping tabs on the 25 year old prior to the next transfer window.
Mark Harris’ career to date
Harris was born in Swansea but was a member of rivals Cardiff City’s youth system. The striker turned professional with the Bluebirds in 2016, making three first team appearances before numerous loan spells at Newport County, Port Vale and Wrexham.
During his loans, the 25 year old made over 50 appearances but only scored six goals in total. He returned to Cardiff and in three years made 92 appearances for the South Wales side, scoring ten goals.
After failing to come to an agreement regarding a contract extension, Harris joined Oxford in 2023 and has shown his goalscoring capabilities with the U’s with 22 goals in 60 appearances to date.
The striker has represented his country at youth level from the under 17s up until the under 21s and made five appearances for the men’s team. His latest call up to the Welsh side came about for this international break’s fixtures against Turkey and Montenegro.
Why are Holsten Kiel after Harris?
Having been promoted to the German top flight last season for the first time in their history, the Die Störche will be battling to stay in the division. Having lost both games so far this season, the German side were eyeing up Harris to provide them with a goal threat for the season.
Despite not getting a deal completed in the summer window, Holsten Kiel are reportedly going to try their luck again in the next transfer window for the in-form Championship striker. The newly promoted side may look at the success of Dapo Afolayan who left the EFL and Bolton to join FC St. Pauli in 2023 as a potential benchmark for the impact Harris could have in mainland Europe.
What impact does Harris have?
The former Cardiff striker has had a blistering start to the Championship season for Oxford and been crucial to the newly promoted side picking up their two wins so far this season. Harris has scored four goals in as many games from a total expected goals (xG) figure of 1.07. This shows the 25 year old is capable of finishing difficult chances which would be crucial for a side like Holsten Kiel who are likely to have few chances in games having stepped up to the Bundesliga.
When asked earlier in his career the type of player the striker was, he provided the answer that most supporters would like to hear:
“I like to create goals, score them as well so hopefully I can do that this season. I don’t mind playing up front in a two, my main strength I would say is running in behind and getting at defenders.”
His ability to run in behind and stretch defences is crucial for the likes of Oxford and Holsten Kiel who are, in the divisions they find themselves in this season, likely to have few chances in the majority of matches.
Harris provides the goal threat needed with an average of 1.76 shots per 90 minutes with a shot accuracy of 86%. Coupled with this threat is the benefit he provides to his teammates, having created 1.26 chances and won 1.26 fouls per 90 minutes on average in the Championship this season.
Harris’ ability to work hard for his team and stretch defences explains his great start to the season for Oxford and why a side like Holsten Kiel would be keeping tabs on the striker ahead of the next transfer window.