SAM Long has signed a new contract which will keep the defender at Oxford United for another season.

The 24-year-old from Bicester is the longest-serving player in the squad, having joined the club as a schoolboy.

Long signed a 12-month deal last summer and has today agreed another contract which will cover the 2019/20 season.

He told the club's website: "I’m really happy to have signed again.

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"I have been here a long time now and think the club is moving in the right direction - I want to be part of that.

"It was good to play in the win on Saturday where I thought the fans were outstanding and now it is up to me to keep playing well, keep progressing and try to help us pull away from the position we are currently in.”

He made his debut in April 2013 against Accrington Stanley and on Saturday made his 40th appearance for the first team, coming into the starting line-up for the 1-0 win at Blackpool, where boss Karl Robinson hailed the travelling support.

It was his 14th game of the 2018/19 campaign, the most appearances he has made in a single season.

Robinson said: "Sam is an outstanding young man.

"He is a natural leader and a terrific character around the place as well as on the pitch.

"You know what you are going to get from him - 100 per cent commitment every time he pulls on that yellow shirt.

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"Fans love to see a local lad playing for the team and he is still learning all the time and improving so we are more than happy to have him here for next season and hopefully longer.”