OXFORD United have completed their fifth signing of the summer after right back Fin Stevens joined on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brentford.

The U’s have acted swiftly in the summer transfer market, with Stevens joining Ruben Rodrigues, Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran and James Beadle at the club.

Stevens, 20, joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of six, but was released 10 years later.

He then impressed with Worthing in the Isthmian League Premier Division, earning a move to Brentford, where he captained the B Team.

Last summer, he agreed a new five-year contract with the club.

READ ALSO: Midfield ace aiming for promotion with hometown side

Stevens has made 10 appearances for the Bees, and last season played five times for Swansea City on loan in Sky Bet Championship.

The versatile defender told the United club website: “I met the gaffer and listened to his vision. It feels like a club that is going places.

“Liam [Manning] has a reputation for playing good football and that appeals to me, as does the chance to play regularly, learn from the experience and to be part of a very successful season – everything seems geared towards that.”

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He added: “All the boys are really welcoming and the session was good, a nice first good session.

“My agent was getting called a few weeks ago, and I came to see the gaffer not long ago.

“He showed me a PowerPoint on how they play, which is what fits me.

“When I spoke to the gaffer, the way he is, and what he demands from his players and the way the team plays out from the back as a possession-based team fits me really well.”

Discussing his football journey so far and his versatility, Stevens said: “I was at Arsenal from six to 16, then I got released and struggled to get a club.

“I had a few trials and dropped down to non-league with Worthing and played quite a few games at the age of 16.

“I then got brought into the Brentford B team and had a good first season there, training quite regularly with the first team and got moved up to the first team squad.

“I got a few minutes here and there, and now I’m trying to progress again and push on.

“I play right back and right wing back, I can also fill at left back and centre midfield.

“Right back is my main position but I can definitely slot in elsewhere.”

Manning said: “It’s an amazing story to go from playing in the Isthmian League with Worthing to playing in the Premier League before you are 20.

“Fin has a great attitude and a very bright future ahead of him, so we are pleased to have him join us and look forward to working with him.”  

Stevens’ sole Premier League appearance for Brentford came in January 2022, when he replaced Sergi Canos for the final 14 minutes of a 4-1 defeat at Southampton.

U’s head of recruitment Ed Waldron said: “We have seen him play right back, left back and as a holding midfielder, and he has been excellent in each role. He has that winning mentality and is a natural leader.

“I watched him captain the Wales Under-21 team last week and you can see why he is so highly rated by Brentford.

“Again, it’s another Premier League side having trust in us to look after one of their hugely talented young players, and we believe it is another really good signing for us.”

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About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.