WILL Goodwin became Oxford United’s fourth signing of the January transfer window, when he signed for the club from Cheltenham Town.

We spoke to Gloucestershire Live sports journalist Jon Palmer to find out more about the 21-year-old striker.

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What are Goodwin’s main qualities and strengths? Is he more than just a ‘traditional centre forward’?

Goodwin is tall, strong and aggressive, but also very mobile, which makes him a genuine all-round striker. He has shown his finishing ability this season too, scoring six goals in 13 League One starts.

Darrell Clarke said soon after taking over as Cheltenham Town manager that Goodwin had the attributes to play higher, if he had a run of games. As soon as he found that consistency, the goals and the performances followed, and he has now earned his move to a promotion-chasing club. It all happened very quickly, but there are not many players like Goodwin around.

What striker would you compare him most to?

Although of course he has a bit of work to do to reach his level, there is a bit of Erling Haaland about his game, and he’s two years younger as well! He is certainly capable of dominating defenders, scoring with both feet and with his head.

How did he fare in his year with Cheltenham?

Goodwin scored on his debut in an EFL Trophy quarter final win over Salford City, but he didn’t open his EFL account for the club until this season, netting two in a 3-2 defeat at Blackpool. He had to be patient due to the form of front pair Alfie May and Aidan Keena during the second half of last term, but he also had an injury which hampered his progress.

He then suffered another minor injury in pre-season, which delayed his start to the current campaign. After regaining full fitness, he put in an impressive performance on the left of a front three in a 0-0 draw at Portsmouth under Wade Elliott, but he has really blossomed under Clarke. His goal against Oxford in Des Buckingham’s first game in charge sparked a run of four goals in four games in the run up to Christmas and having cost the club only £20,000 from Stoke City, it has proved to be a superb piece of business.

Has he got the potential to play at a higher level than League One?

Based on how much experience he has already built at the age of 21, and how he has performed in League One for Cheltenham in recent months, he definitely looks capable of playing in the Championship. His attitude is first class too, which will give him the best possible chance.