OXFORD City’s top scorer Adi Yussuf has secured a dream return to the Football League after signing for Sky Bet League Two side Mansfield Town.

The former Leicester City trainee scored 31 goals in all competitions after joining City last summer, following previous spells with Burton Albion and Lincoln City.

His fine form attracted the attention of the Stags, managed by former Oxford United midfielder Adam Murray, who moved to secure the 23-year-old’s services.

“When I got told that I might be coming to sign here, it feels like a dream come true,” said Yussuf.

“The fact that I was at Burton and things didn’t work out there, I just want to come back into this league and prove that I can play in it.

“I believe that if I work hard on myself and my game, then with a bit of help from the gaffer and the coaching staff, anything is possible.”

And Yussuf was keen to give thanks to City for helping him resurrect his career.

He added: “Everyone there was like a family to me – the manager, the assistant manager, the coaches and every single player.


“I want to say a big thanks to Oxford City for giving me that platform, because this time last year not many people wanted to give me one.

“They gave me my chance and I hope that they feel like I’ve paid them back.”

Yussuf’s move means that City have lost their two top scorers from last season, with 12-goal winger Tom Winters also on the move, returning to Brackley Town, who he left in 2013 to join City.

Coming in are midfielder Reece Fleet from Solihull Moors and goalkeeper Laurie Walker from National League South rivals Hemel Hempstead Town.

Fleet, son of former City goalkeeper Colin Fleet, rejoins the club after a previous spell in 2011 in which he made 26 appearances before going on to enjoy spells with Hungerford Town and Solihull.

Walker began his career at Milton Keynes Dons, but departed without making a first-team appearance for spells at Cambridge United and Morecambe.

He then went on to feature for Kettering Town in the Conference Premier and Brackley Town, before joining Hemel Hempstead at the start of last season.

l OXFORD City Lions missed out on glory in the FA National Futsal League grand finals.

City lost 2-0 to Birmingham in the semi-final at St George’s Park yesterday.