OXFORD City have signed versatile defender Charlie Rowan.

The 23-year-old joins from Vanarama National League South counterparts Ebbsfleet United and can play in central defence or full back.

Rowan is relishing being part of David Oldfield's squad as City aim to pick up where they left off, having been fourth when last season was stopped in February.

He said: “I’m delighted to sign, the manager has said some really good things about the club and I’m just excited to try and help the club get promoted. 

“Promotion is the aim and looking at how well the club did last season I’ll be looking to help the team push on from that and make it tough for teams to beat us. 

“I’m really excited to get going and show the fans what I can do.”

Rowan came through Watford's academy, starting in the Under 15 side and captaining their Under 18s.

The 6ft 1in defender joined QPR in 2018 and spent time on loan at Barnet and Accrington Stanley.

He was at Ebbsfleet last season, helping the Kent side to eighth in the table before the campaign was declared null and void.

Rowan joins up with City ahead of their first pre-season friendly at Thame United tomorrow (3pm).

Oldfield still wants more new faces to bolster his ranks, but he is looking forward to seeing his new-look squad in action.

He said: "You're learning all the time and we'll learn so much between the Thame game and Oxford United next Friday.

"All of these games will be big learning curves in terms of our fitness and the way that we play.

"We want to be a club that gives opportunities to young players that come through the academy.

"Everybody knows how difficult the situation is and we just need to make sure we're open-minded going forward."