Though Birmingham City Never Wanted Him To Leave But, Deal Was Too “Attracted”

Birmingham City Forward Departs for Oxford United

Oxford United have announced the signing of Sirki Dembele from Birmingham City on a permanent deal.

Des Buckingham has improved his side ahead of the transfer window shutting with the signing of Dembele from League One side Birmingham City.

Dembele was part of the Blues side that were relegated last season but will return to the Championship with Oxford United.

The attacker will be eligible to play for his new club this weekend when they host Preston North End.

Dembele signs long-term contract with Oxford United

Dembele was announced by Oxford and the club announced the attacker has signed a long-term contract with the club

Speaking to the club’s website, he said:

“I’m so glad, Oxford are back in the Championship now and the club is looking to go somewhere, and I’m excited to be here.

“Haven spoken to Des and Ed, the ideas they have to take the club somewhere is what excited me to come here.

I have played against Oxford a few times, and it looks like an exciting time for the team, so that’s why I have signed, and now I want to do something big with the club.”

How did Dembele do it in the Championship last season?

Dembele featured heavily for Birmingham last season, but he couldn’t help the club stay in the Championship.

He played 33 times, starting 23 of those games. He managed just six goals and one assist, something he’ll likely be wanting to improve this season for his new club.

Over the season, he received a Sofascore average rating of 6.86. He ranked 11th in the Birmingham squad for average rating, some way of John Ruddy, who topped the ranking with 7.17.

Dembele ranked 5th for key passes per game for the Blues. He had 1.2 key passes, which left him just short of Seung-Ho Paik who had 1.6. He also ranked highly in the xG rankings for the Blues, finishing 6th with an xG of 2.96.

Is Dembele a good signing for Oxford United? – opinion

Although he only managed six goals and one assist last season, Dembele could be a real asset for Oxford.

His statistics last season show he can be a threat going forward. However, it’s on Buckingham to get the best out of him. If they can do that, he could play a key role in their survival this season.

Dembele could benefit greatly from the creativity of Will Vaulks and Cameron Brannagan going forward. While he’ll also be of great use to Mark Harris and other forwards because of his creativity out wide.
Dembele could benefit greatly from the creativity of Will Vaulks and Cameron Brannagan going forward. While he’ll also be of great use to Mark Harris and other forwards because of his creativity out wide