GINO van Kessel is unfazed by the potential of being Oxford United’s record signing next summer after turning down Europa League football to join on loan.

The 24-year-old completed a season-long move from Slavia Prague yesterday and trained with the U’s squad for the first time.

It completed a pursuit by United which had lasted several weeks, during which time the Curacao international forward had a variety of options on the table.

In addition to offers from clubs in Cyprus and Austria, van Kessel, who can play on either flank or as a central striker, also could have joined Czech Cup winners Fastav Zlín.

The prospect of European football was appealing, but not as enticing as the chance to play in the third tier of English football.

Van Kessel said: “They are in the Europa League group stage because they won the cup last year.

“I was talking with them and had a good feeling, but it’s not a big club.

“It’s a small village in the Czech Republic and it’s the first time in a long time they’ve been playing in Europe.

“The Europa League was very attractive for me, but on the other hand you could be drawn against three big teams and you could end up with zero points.

“I know League One in England is a high level and if you are playing with this team we are going to be playing at the top and all the eyes are on this team.”

The loan includes a clause where United can turn it into a permanent deal at the end of this season for €900,000 (approximately £810,000).

It would be a new record fee paid by the club, which officially stands at £470,000 for Dean Windass from Aberdeen in 1998.

But the price tag holds no fears for van Kessel, who was bought by Slavia for just over £1m last summer.

He said: “They said it to me in Poland when I went there last season that there was an option to buy me and it would have been the biggest transfer, but I said I had already had the same in the Czech Republic.

“I’m really happy that at the end of the season there can’t be any discussion about money.

“Everything is clear, so if they want me they know what to do.”

U’s boss Pep Clotet said: “I know he’s making a big sacrifice to come and perform here.

“He had many options to go on loan and we were not the highest level, but he still wanted to come to us.”

Meanwhile, reports emerged last night Hull City had made a bid for Marvin Johnson.

Neither club has commented, but this week chairman Darryl Eales said it would take an “unbelievable offer” for the U’s to consider selling the winger.

More is likely to be known this morning, when Hull hold their regular weekly press conference.