OXFORD United have made Ipswich Town left back Greg Leigh their ninth signing of the summer.

The 28-year-old Jamaica international only joined the Tractor Boys last summer on a two-year deal, but makes the move to the U’s for an undisclosed fee.

Leigh will provide competition to United’s only current natural option on the left-hand side of the defence in Ciaron Brown, last season’s player of the year.

“It’s really exciting. It’s been a difficult, long process but it’s good to get it over the line,” Leigh told the U’s website.

“He’s [Liam Manning] a big attraction for players signing. Having a manager who has a good philosophy and a way of doing things that’s proven to be successful is a big attraction.

“I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen. I like the way the team plays, the manager’s got the boys playing.

“The main aim is to be successful with the team. I want to play as well as possible, and play as many games as possible, and show what I can do.”

Manning added: “Greg is a really accomplished left back and a terrific character. He brings that balance down the left, has had success at this level and knows the division.

“With Ciaron Brown doing so well there, we now have serious competition in that position, which will be another big positive for us.”

Head of recruitment Ed Waldron said: “Greg has power, a natural physicality to his game and is someone we identified a while back.

“He likes to get forward, but he also understands the defensive side of playing at left back. He has such a positive personality and we are really happy to have got the deal done.”

Leigh came through the ranks at Manchester City, but left in August 2015 without making a first team appearance.

He did however spend the 2014/15 season on loan with Crewe Alexandra, playing 42 times in all competitions and scoring once.

After leaving the Etihad Stadium, Leigh had permanent spells with Bradford City, Bury and Dutch outfit NAC Breda.

He signed for Aberdeen on loan for the 2019/20 campaign, and joined the Scottish side on a permanent basis in October 2020.

The following July, Leigh moved to Morecambe on a one-year deal and played 36 times in Sky Bet League One.

His displays in Lancashire saw him snapped up by Ipswich last summer, and he went on to make 20 appearances in all competitions – 12 as a substitute – as the Suffolk side earned promotion to the Championship.

Leigh, who has eight caps for Jamaica, has featured twice this season for the Tractor Boys.

On his route into football, Leigh said: “I was at the Man City academy and going through that, you don’t really think about being a footballer.

“You just enjoy playing, and you’re playing at a good level, but all you know is you’re a kid and you’re just enjoying it.

“Then at 16 or 17, it became a bit more real with scholarships. My football journey probably started when I went to Crewe on loan. That was my introduction into men’s football.”