An ecstatic Chris Wilder saw months of hard work pay off yesterday with the capture of striker Deane Smalley.

The pacy frontman scored 12 goals in 29 games for League Two champions Chesterfield last season, while on loan from parent club Oldham.

And although he was offered a new contract at Boundary Park, the 22-year-old turned it down in favour of a move to the Kassam Stadium.

He has agreed a two-year deal with the U’s, with the option of a third year.

United have agreed an undisclosed compensation fee with Oldham for his signature.

And Wilder could not stop smiling as he unveiled his fifth signing of the summer.

“I am really, really delighted we’ve got Deane,” he beamed.

“I have followed him extremely closely over the last five months or so, been to see him play on half a dozen occasions, and every single time he has impressed me greatly.

“He has a great goalscoring record, likes to get in behind defences, is a good size and a great team player.

“Even when I have seen him and the match is won, or there was little to play for, he was still giving his all – his work rate is first class.

“We have genuine beaten off competition from higher clubs to sign Deane, and we firmly believe with more games under his belt, he will get even better.”

Smalley came through the ranks at Oldham, and made 119 appearances for the first team in all competitions, 42 as a substitute, scoring 11 goals.

He went on loan to League One side Rochdale last season, where he came off the bench three times, but it was at title winners Chesterfield that he really made a name for himself.

And Smalley says he cannot wait to get started with his new club.

“I played here (the Kassam Stadium) for Chesterfield at the end of the season as was very impressed with everything,” he said.

“I spoke to the manager and chairman last week and they really made up my mind.

“I was offered a new deal at Oldham and the manager told me I was in his plans, but I scored lots of goals this season and he didn’t recall me, so I just felt the time was right to move.”