LIAM Kelly has returned to Oxford United on a season-long loan.

The midfielder makes the temporary switch from Dutch giants Feyenoord after spending the second half of 2019/20 with the U’s.

Despite making just five appearances as injury and a lack of match fitness hampered his time on the pitch, the 24-year-old showed flashes of class in his first spell at United.

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Boss Karl Robinson was keen to bring the Irishman back to the Kassam Stadium and Kelly was delighted to seal the deal.

He said: “When I first spoke to the gaffer about him wanting me back it was definitely something I was interested in.

“Even when I first came last January he showed a lot of interest in trying to get me here.

“Probably down to me, I wasn’t in the best condition and the boys were flying, so it’s kind of difficult to put someone into a winning team.

“It’s always nice when you can come back. Most of the boys are still here from last year so it’s an easy fit.

“When you go somewhere new it takes a while to settle down, but I know the boys, the boys know me and I know how the gaffer wants to play.”

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The former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international is the U’s second signing of the day, after French winger Derick Osei joined on a two-year deal.

He came to United lacking match fitness after playing just twice for Feyenoord in the first half of 2019/20.

Kelly suffered a hamstring injury just 20 minutes into his first U’s start at Burton Albion in February and began a mini pre-season fitness programme to get him up to speed.

Before the injury, the ex-Reading player netted a pinpoint free-kick in the 3-2 Emirates FA Cup fourth round replay defeat to Newcastle United to announce his arrival.

After sealing an extension to stay for the Sky Bet League One play-offs, he impressed as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

And Kelly is hoping he is able to show that form more regularly next season.

He said: “Any footballer just wants to play week-in, week-out.

“When I first came in at Reading I had that and enjoyed it so much.

“The last year’s been quite disappointing in terms of how many games I’ve played, so I just want to get my head down and get back to that.

“As a professional footballer there’s no better feeling.”