Oxford United have made one of their biggest-name signings with the capture of Michael Duberry on a two-year contract.

The 35-year-old says he is joining the U’s because he wants to achieve something, rather than just see out the last days of his career.

“I’m here because I want to play football, I like the way the club’s going and I want to be part of something successful,” Duberry stressed.

“I look around the club and there’s pictures of play-off finals, winning games here and in three years’ time, if I’m not here, I want a picture of me lifting a play-off final trophy or league winners’ medal.

“And in five years’ time, when Oxford are in the Championship and they look back on where it all started, I want my name mentioned.

“Those are the sorts of challenges I set myself and the ambition I’ve got.”

Manager Chris Wilder believes it’s a great signing for the club, and the centre half who moved from Chelsea to Leeds for £4.5m 12 years ago, will provide United’s defence, and the team as a whole, with vital experience.

He had targeted a centre half who has played at a good level, and Duberry, who won the Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup with Chelsea, and who starred for Leeds in their famous Champ-ions League win over AC Milan, is just what he was looking for.

The U’s boss also said he had strong recommendations about Duberry, and how well he played for St Johnstone last season, from several sources, including the Kidlington-based ex-Aston Villa midfielder Garry Parker, who is a coach at Celtic.

“We felt we conceded far too many goals through individual mistakes and that we needed somebody experienced in there, and Michael fits the bill,” Wilder said.

“As always, we don’t just sign players on a whim. We’ve done extensive homework on Michael. He’s mobile and he’s ambitious.

“I’ve got to say a thank-you to Garry Parker, who gave him a really good reference.

“Celtic showed an interest in him at Christmas and they were looking to bring him into the club, but Michael wanted to play regularly. “His career before was at the highest level. Then he went to Reading and Wycombe.

“His career at Wycombe wasn’t how he wanted it to go, but that happens to any player.

“He didn’t have a great time there, but one thing we liked about him was that he got his career back on track by playing football and going up to Scotland. He’s been excellent up there.

“People talk about the [standard of] the Scottish game . . . but you play Celtic and Rangers four times, and some of the teams, like Hearts and Hibs, there’s some good clubs and good players up there.

“People will mention his age, but what we needed was experience and a player who plays reguarly, and Michael ticks every box.”