Oxford United had to move quickly or they would have risked missing out on Kemar Roofe’s signature, according to chief executive Mark Ashton.

The 22-year-old has become the club’s first signing of the summer, agreeing a three-year deal and moving for an undisclosed fee from West Bromwich Albion.

In doing so they beat several other interested clubs, who had been alerted by Roofe’s sensational finish to the campaign on loan at United.

He made it six goals in seven games with a breathtaking finish in the 1-0 win at Newport County on the final day of the season, which Ashton admits caused mixed emotions.

United

“I literally put my head in my hands and thought ‘Oh God, this is going to make it more difficult’ because there were managers there at the game sat directly in front of me and it was quite clear who they were watching,” he said.

“The pleasing piece about this player is from the get-go he has said he wants to be at Oxford United, he wants to be part of what we’re trying to build, he wants to play for (head coach) Michael Appleton.”

“That has certainly helped no end, but yes I think the longer it would have gone there’s no question other clubs were looking at him.”