Reunion with Karl Robinson key for new Oxford United signing

The 19-year-old striker has agreed a one-year deal after a successful trial, which included being part of the pre-season training camp in Wales last week.

At least the youngster went away knowing one member of the travelling party.

Robinson was in charge of Milton Keynes Dons when Asonganyi was making his way through the club’s youth set-up.

Although the head coach had moved on by the time he was ready for senior football, an impression had been made.

And when Dons announced in June he was being released, Robinson was quick to reach out.

The former England youth international man said: “He called me an hour or two later.

“Of course it (being released) was a bad moment but it’s just something that happens in football.

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“I’ll learn from it now and I’m just grateful I have this opportunity here.”

He added: “What’s good is the gaffer’s way of playing really fits in with how I play.

“When I went to England (youth) when I was 14 I think he’d already been watching me closely.

“I’d already played in a pre-season game against Brackley where he was watching.

“I’m grateful to everyone at MK for how they developed me into the player I am today.

“I’m just looking forward to the future now.”

Time will tell how quickly Asonganyi can get up to speed and into Robinson’s plans.

A fresh start will help, after a frustrating start to the year which saw him loaned out to Maidenhead United to get game time, only for the season to go into lockdown after one game.

He said: “I’m hungry for first-team football, just to get out there and show everyone what I can do.”

And while the young front man has made an impact, the feeling is mutual about the rest of the squad having spent some time away with them.

“The thing I was really impressed by was the mentality of the boys,” he said.

“They’ve had the disappointment of Wembley, but they seem really locked in.

“There’s a lot of talent there.”