NEW signing Mark Creighton says he would run through a brick wall to get Oxford United back in the Football League.

The 27-year-old centre back, who was skipper at Kidderminster where he made 158 appearances, has signed a three-year deal after joining for an undisclosed fee.

And United received a further boost after young defender Shane Killock put pen to paper on a one-year deal.

“I’m really excited about joining Oxford,” said Creighton who played in the same Harriers side as U’s striker James Constable.

“I joined because of the club’s ambition – I didn’t need persuading. I came across Chris Wilder when he was boss at Halifax.

“I spoke to James (Constable) and some other mates and they didn’t have a bad word to say about the gaffer.

“That helped, but it’s the size of this club that swayed me. The gaffer knows what he wants and he knows what he is going to get from me – I want to get out of this league.

“I had the opportunity to go to clubs that were already in the league – Crewe and Hereford – but I didn’t think they were right for me.

“They are good clubs, but I didn’t feel they were going in the right direction.

“I want to be playing for Oxford United in the Football League. I know they are in the Conference, but I can’t see them being there after next season.

“And then they have a good chance of getting out of League Two.

“I don’t know that much about Oxford, but I know what I can bring to the club. I’ll bring leadership and I would run through a brick wall for the team. I’ll be fully committed to the cause.”

Creighton said he also hoped to add to United’s goal tally.

He added: “Last season I only got two or three, but the season before got about six – so I hope to do the same for Oxford.

“We had a great team spirit at Kidderminster and hopefully we can have the same at Oxford.

“I was disappointed not to make the play-offs because we had a great run. It was a carbon-copy of what happened at Oxford.

“We were waiting for them to slip-up and they were waiting for us to do the same, but it never happened. The end of season was mental.

“I wanted to play in the Football League with Kidderminster, but that’s in the past. There is always going to be heartache and successes along the way.

“Hopefully, I can have success here at Oxford. I have three years experience of this league and 150 games.

“I am looking to use that experience. You have to have a mixture of people at football clubs – players with great ability and people that have experience at this level and are prepared to put their head in where it hurts. I am probably more of the latter!

He added: “I can’t wait for the season to start – I’m very excited.”

Boss Wilder was pleased to have got his man.

“I’m delighted we have signed Mark. He wants to win and that’s one of the reasons why we bought him here,” he said.

“We have secured the services of a very good player – we think he is one of the best defenders in the league.”

On Killock’s deal, Wilder added: “He came in from Huddersfield last season and did really well, but then he got that hamstring injury at Crawley.

“It’s terrific news that he has signed for next season.”