KEMAR Roofe has paid tribute to the Oxford United supporters after agreeing a move to Leeds United.
The forward was a big hit with fans, whose backing at the end of the 2014/15 season played a role in him turning his loan spell from West Bromwich Albion permanent last summer.
But a haul of 32 goals in 60 starts caught the eye of Leeds United, who have paid a fee in the region of £3m to get him to Elland Road.
Roofe had scored just once in an underwhelming career before joining the U's and will remember the club, and especially the fans, fondly.
He said: “It’s an exciting new chapter for me but I want to thank everyone at Oxford for making my time there so memorable.
"The chairman, the manager, the players and in particular the fans have been outstanding and it is a club that is always going to mean a lot to me.”
U's boss Michael Appleton, who first met Roofe when coached in the youth set-up at West Bromwich Albion, said: "Kemar has done brilliantly for us.
"His attitude has been spot on and he works so hard at his game that I am sure he will continue to develop and has a really bright future ahead of him.”
While the transfer fee is undisclosed, U's chairman Darryl Eales had made it clear their minimum valuation for the star forward was £3m.
And in his thoughts on the move, the club's owner revealed Leeds had reached the target.
He said: "The transfer of Kemar is bitter sweet.
"I am delighted for Kemar personally, he has been a pleasure to work with, consummately professional in everything he does and an outstanding team man.
"He leaves with our sincere thanks and very best wishes.
"Kemar's transfer is a reflection of the strength of squad we are assembling and our success on the pitch.
"We would prefer to keep all players but Kemar wanted to test his talent at a higher level and ultimately, once Leeds met our valuation, we would not want to stand in a player's way."
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