Oxford United are set to receive compensation from Southampton, after the Premiership club nipped in to snap up one of the most promising young players they have developed.
Eleven-year-old Marc Gass, from Loyd Close, Abingdon, has helped St Edmunds Boys to achieve considerable success as a strong attacking midfielder.
After being with Oxford United's Centre of Excellence since the age of eight, Marc opted not to become a part of their Games Programme, choosing instead to stay with his boys' team to continue playing with his friends.
Under Football Association rules, there is "a window" of opportunity during April for clubs to snap up youngsters who are not under contract, and Saints youth development officer Malcolm Elias, who knows the Oxfordshire scene well, did this with Marc.
He is the second boy in his age group from the county to move to a bigger club. Brian Bowles, from Witney, recently signed up with Chelsea.
Read more on Marc and about the U's on This is United
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