BILLY Bodin has become Oxford United’s third signing of the summer.

The 29-year-old joins the U’s on a one-year deal after he was released by Sky Bet Championship side Preston North End.

Bodin’s time at Deepdale was hampered by injuries, limiting him to 44 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons.

Now fit again, the winger feels Karl Robinson’s United can be a perfect fit as he seeks to get his career back on track.

Bodin said: “It’s a good move for me, it’s a club that look like they’re going places.

“The manager had a big role to play in that, whenever I’ve played against his teams they’ve always played an attractive style of football and one I’d like to think suits me.

“It’s an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait to get going.”

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Bodin joins fellow new signings Marcus McGuane and Ryan Williams in the building as United plot another Sky Bet League One promotion challenge, having tasted play-off disappointment in the last two campaigns.

He added: “The last two years they’ve narrowly missed out and a lot of the squad is pretty much the same going into this season.

“That was one of the things that attracted me to the club.

“If you ask any player around the country they’d say Oxford will be up there come the end of the season."

Bodin came through the academy at United’s big rivals Swindon Town, his place of birth, and is the son of ex-Wales international Paul Bodin.

He moved to Torquay United in 2012 following 16 appearances for The Robins, but really flourished at Bristol Rovers after joining in 2015.

Bodin scored 37 goals in 107 games as he helped The Gas win promotion to League One behind United in 2015/16, when U’s No 9 Matty Taylor was a teammate.

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He joined Preston for £500,000 in January 2018 and was immediately a regular, earning his only Wales cap that March.

But Bodin missed the whole of 2018/19 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and had cartilage surgery last season.

The forward has been fit since January, although only has three late substitute appearances to show for it.

“In the last few years I’ve picked up a few injuries, but even when I have been fit I’ve not played anywhere near enough," he said.

“I feel good, it’s probably the best I’ve felt for a while.

“Hopefully I can hit the ground running in pre-season and get back on that pitch as soon as possible.”