OXFORD United’s willingness to pay a transfer fee made up Elliott Moore’s mind it was the right place to begin a new chapter.

The 22-year-old had spent more than three-quarters of his life with Leicester City, but has now taken the plunge in search of regular football.

As a centre back who has predominantly played on the left side, he answers one of United’s biggest questions for the summer.

And the intention to put money down on the table, although the amount was officially undisclosed, paved the way for a three-year contract to be finalised yesterday.

He said: “It’s always nice when someone wants you that badly they’ll pay some money for you.

“It’s a great feeling and that was why I was so excited to get down here and start.

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“There was other interest, but not as concrete as Oxford.

“They were the one we were focusing on to get done.

“I knew it was time to just start my career somewhere and have a bit of security.”

The defender’s most striking attribute is his height – at 6ft 5in he even towers above Karl Robinson.

But he brings a lot more than just aerial ability.

The U’s head coach said: “He’s a mountain on legs.

“You look at him and say ‘he’s so big, what’s he like on the ball?’ Well, he’s outstanding on the ball.”

Moore left Leicester without making his senior debut, but is no rookie after playing for the last two seasons for OH Leuven in Belgium’s second division.

The experiences there should stand him in good stead, especially if he is parachuted into the team for tomorrow’s Sky Bet League One opener at Sunderland.

He said: “It’s a challenge, but I did that in Belgium.

“I got thrown in the day before a game with a different language.

“You just have to go in, organise people and get them to help you out.

“If I’m playing on Saturday then great, if not I’ll keep working and wait for my chance.”

Moore’s deal made it three in as many days, following fellow new recruits Anthony Forde and Ben Woodburn.

And Robinson is thrilled to see the recruitment team’s work finally paying off with what should be a boost across the campaign.

He said: “It’s been big for the whole season, not for the game on Saturday.

“It’s going to be a positive thing.”