SIMON Eastwood says he is out to establish himself as Oxford United’s No 1 goalkeeper after becoming the club’s first signing of the summer.

The 26-year-old has agreed a one-year contract, with the U's having an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.

He will officially become a United player on July 1 having been released by Sky Bet Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

His arrival takes thenumber of goalkeepers at the club to five, with Sam Slocombe, Benji Buchel, Max Crocombe and Jack Stevens already under contract.

Eastwood returns to the Kassam Stadium having spent a year as understudy to Ryan Clarke in 2010/11.

But the keeper says it is a very contrasting situation this time around.

“It’s completely different circumstances,” he said.

“Back then I was a young lad coming through and was just trying to stay around a first team.

“But now I am looking to play first-team football. I will get my head down and see what happens.”

He added: “I look back on my time here and it was a waste.

“I didn’t really get involved, but I am at a stage of my career now where I want to be playing every week.”

Only Jake Wright remains from Eastwood’s first spell, but it was another U’s defender who proved instrumental in his move.

“Joe Skarz was pretty much my best mate growing up,” he explained.

“We have been together since our Huddersfield Town youth days from eight years old and went through the ranks there.

“We have played against each other a couple of times, but it will be strange to be in the same side as him again.

“He could not speak highly enough of what the club is like.”

And Eastwood’s switch to Oxford comes after a chaotic few weeks.

“A week last Sunday I got married in Cheshire, I have been on my honeymoon for eight nights and didn’t get back until Wednesday night,” he said.

“My wife and I were frantically packing boxes and I was down here at 7.30 Thursday morning to pick up a van, collect the keys to our new house at 12 o’clock and then rush here and do my medical.

“I’m just glad I passed it because it could have been a bit of a disaster if not!

“But everything is sorted and I can’t wait to get going.”