- Reece Oxford says he is fit and ready to help Championship team Reading make a push for promotion this season
- The defender joined the Royals on deadline day for the remainder of the season
- Oxford, who came through the Club’s Academy of Football, can’t wait to learn from his new boss Jaap Stam
Reece Oxford declared he is ready to help Sky Bet Championship side Reading with their push for promotion to the Premier League having secured a deadline day loan move to the Madejski Stadium.
The centre-back, who in December penned a new four-and-a-half-year contract with West Ham United, has teamed up with the Royals to gain more valuable first team experience.
Jaap Stam’s outfit, who have won 12 or their last 16 league matches, currently sit third in the second tier, just four points below the automatic promotion spots.
Teenager Oxford missed a large chunk of the first half of the campaign through injury but, now fit and with a number of Premier League 2 appearances under his belt, is now prepared to hit the ground running in Berkshire.
“I’m fit, ready and looking forward to getting in front of a good crowd and showing them what I’ve got,” said the defender. “Hopefully I can be part of an exciting season.
“I heard a couple of days after I had played a reserve game for West Ham that Reading were interested. I was thinking in my head ‘I want to get the deal done, they are one of the teams fighting for promotion’, so hopefully the loan can help both me and the club.
“I just wanted to get here as soon as possible really. You have to step out of your comfort zone to grow up and play men’s football. It’s an exciting step being at this Championship club and hopefully I can get some senior games under my belt. I’m ready for it.”
I’m fit, ready and looking forward to getting in front of a good crowd and showing them what I’ve got. Hopefully I can be part of an exciting season.
Reece Oxford
Oxford came through West Ham’s famous Academy and made his first team league debut on the opening day of the 2015/16 term, starring as the Hammers were 2-0 winners against Arsenal away from home.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic stated on Tuesday that Reading’s former Dutch international boss played a big part in the decision to send Oxford to the Madejski, and the 18-year-old concurred after joining the side for the rest of the season.
“One of the big reasons why I wanted to join Reading was Jaap Stam. Like Slaven Bilic said, he was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and the world, so hopefully I can come here and he can teach me a few things.
“It is a bit out of my comfort zone. I’ve never been on loan! But it’s good. I’ve been speaking to the boys and they’re helping me get to know the club. Hopefully I can get in the team and help the boys push up the table.
“I’ve played in midfield a few times for West Ham. They’ve tried to help improve with playing football, and hopefully I can come here now, sharpen up my game and smooth out rough edges.”