OXFORD United’s head of academy Dan Harris believes the club’s three young recruits have a key ingredient to succeed – a desire to prove people wrong.

The U’s bolstered their under 23 side yesterday with the signings of Armani Little, Steven Johnson-Fikula and Brandon Taverner.

They will join up with United’s squad next week for pre-season training.

While the trio have been initially signed on one-year contracts to play in the under 23 side, the message is to target first-team action.

All three players have had to deal with setbacks in their young careers, with Little and Johnson-Fikula released by clubs last month, while Taverner was playing Sunday league football a few years ago.

But Harris believes that will only drive their ambition to succeed.

He said: “We want young men that are going to come into this football club and fight tooth and nail to play for Karl Robinson’s first team.

“That is ultimately the aim for the academy and the under 23s.

“We’re bringing boys in with chips on their shoulders deliberately, boys who will move mountains to get into the team.

“They will have to fight their way through and prove they are ready and our job is to make sure we give them every opportunity to do that.”

Little had been on the books at Premier League side Southampton since he was 12 and captained their under 18s.

The 21-year-old midfielder also played two Checkatrade Trophy ties for Saints’ under 23s last season before being released in May.

Little recognises it is time to move out of his comfort zone.

He said: “I had been there all the way through the youth system and I need to play first-team football.

“Oxford have given me a great opportunity, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Johnson-Fikula was released by Sky Bet League Two club Mansfield Town last month, but caught United’s eye in a League Football Education trial.

The left-sided centre half, 18, is hoping to prove a point.

Johnson-Fikula said: “It’s every young boy’s dream to become a professional footballer and when I was told by Mansfield I wouldn’t be getting a contract I felt that was fading away.

“I’m coming in with a chip on my shoulder.”

Taverner impressed on trial with United at the end of last season.

The centre forward, who at 17 joined the FCV Academy, which offers private courses for players aged 14 and above to develop, cannot wait to get started.

Taverner, 19, said: “I’ve never played at this level before.

“I have to work harder and prove myself, because I’m coming in here as a no-one.”