TYLER Goodrham knows the stakes are higher now he has graduated to men’s football.

The teenage midfielder signed his first professional contract with Oxford United yesterday, less than six weeks before he turns 18.

Goodrham has already tasted first-team football with the U’s, becoming the club’s youngest-ever player – a mantle since taken up by Gatlin O’Donkor – at Crawley Town in November 2019.

Since then, the creative youngster has starred for United’s age-group sides, although injury has stopped him adding more senior appearances.

That is something Goodrham wants to change next season – even if it means a temporary spell away from the U’s.

He said: “I’ve heard talks of going out on loan.

“I just want to play men’s football, whether that’s here or elsewhere.

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“I’ve seen boys go out on loan and I feel like I need that men’s experience myself.

“I like playing with the boys in the Under 18s, but when we play the men’s team it’s a physical challenge.

“They’re people with kids and mortgages to pay, so there’s a whole different mindset.”

Goodrham is back training after suffering an injury at the end of last season and will want to make his mark quickly.

His deal with United is only 12 months, normal for a player of his age, but with the option of an extra year.

Even in his relatively short time at the club, Goodrham has seen plenty of players tread the path he wants to follow.

And he name-checked two men who also featured that night at Crawley – one of whom is now in the Premier League with Brentford.

Goodrham said: “I’m still a long way away, you look up to the likes of Longy (Sam Long) and Shandon (Baptiste) and see what they’ve done.”