Out of contract Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Will Vauks has joined SkyBet Championship side Oxford United, the U’s have announced.
The 30-year-old left Danny Rohl’s Owls at the end of his contract this summer, making him available for a free transfer to Wednesday’s now-fellow Championship team.
Will Vaulks Leaving Sheffield Wednesday:
Vaulks joined Sheffield Wednesday from Cardiff City in the summer of 2022, and has now played out the full-length of his two-year contract at Hillsborough.
He has played close to 500 appearances in his professional career, with more than 140 coming at Scottish side Falkirk. The defensive midfielder has appeared 91 times for Wednesday, scoring twice and assisting five goals during his two seasons.
The former Wales international made over a century of appearances at both Rotherham United and Cardiff City, before his most recent switch to the Steel City.
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Oxford United’s First Signing of the Summer:
The 30-year-old midfielder now joins Oxford United as their first signing of the summer window, as they ready for a return to the Championship after their play-off final victory over Bolton Wanderers in May.
Oxford announced in their retained list last month that the club are currently in discussions to extend the contracts of play-off final hero Josh Murphy, defender Joe Bennett and midfielder Josh McEachran.
An Experienced Hand for the Newly-Promoted Side – Opinion:
Will Vaulks has played 222 games in the Championship, and will add valuable experience to Oxford ahead of their first term in the second tier in this century.
Des Buckingham’s side now boast a very strong midfield core with Cameron Brannagan likely to partner Vaulks in the engine room of United’s team.
He is a capable midfielder, having played 34 league games for the Sheffield Wednesday side that escaped relegation last season. I think he is a smart signing for Oxford as they prepare for what is set to be an exciting, and at some times nervy, season for the U’s.