๐ข๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ยฃ๐ญ๐บ+ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ก๐ผ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ต๐ฎ๐บ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐โ๐ โ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐บ๐ฎ๐ปโ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐น๐น! ๐๏ธ๐ต
By 247sportcity | Tuesday, January 20, 2026
OXFORD โ In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Championship relegation battle, Oxford United have officially completed the permanent signing of Northern Ireland international Jamie McDonnell from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who has been described as one of the most promising ball-winners in the English pyramid, arrives at the Kassam Stadium on a “long-term” contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the seven-figure range. The deal marks a massive statement of intent from new head coach Matt Bloomfield, who is wasting no time in rebuilding the Uโs squad to avoid the drop.
The โIronmanโ Recalled: From Mansfield to the Championship
McDonnellโs arrival comes on the back of a sensational first half of the season on loan at Mansfield Town. Under the tutelage of Nigel Clough, the youngster became the heartbeat of the Stagsโ midfield, making 25 appearances and establishing himself as a statistical leader for tackles and ball recoveries in League One.
His form was so impressive that Nottingham Forest reportedly faced a dilemma: keep him for their own survival battle or cash in while his value was at an all-time high. Oxford United moved with “decisive speed” to win the race for his signature, beating out several rival Championship clubs.
“Jamie is a player who has stepped up at every level he’s played,” Matt Bloomfield said during the unveiling. “He shows maturity and authority that goes way beyond his 21 years. We believe he is the right profile for what we need now, and for the long-term future of this club.”
The Northern Ireland Connection
McDonnell isn’t just a rising club star; he is now a full-fledged international. Following his debut against Germany in September 2025, he earned his first competitive start for Northern Ireland against Luxembourg in November.
At Oxford, he joins a growing “Green and White Army” contingent. He will link up with international teammates Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, and Jamie Donley, creating a core of Northern Irish grit that Bloomfield hopes will stabilize a defense that has leaked goals throughout December.
[Table: Jamie McDonnellโs Path to the Kassam]
| Season | Club | Role | Achievement |
| 2023/24 | Nottm Forest U21 | Captain | Led team to PL2 Play-offs |
| 2024/25 | Colchester (Loan) | Midfield Anchor | Young Player of the Year |
| 2025/26 (H1) | Mansfield (Loan) | Box-to-Box | 25 Apps, 2 Goals, Elite tackling stats |
| 2026 (Jan) | Oxford United | Permanent | Signed to fuel Championship survival |
A Midweek Debut? The QPR Clash
The timing of the transfer couldn’t be more critical. Oxford United are set to face Queens Park Rangers (QPR) tonight in a massive “six-pointer” at the bottom of the table. Having trained with the squad for the first time on Monday, McDonnell has been cleared to go straight into the matchday squad.
With fellow January signings Yunus Konak (loan from Brentford) and Myles Peart-Harris also pushing for starts, Oxfordโs midfield could look entirely different tonight than it did just two weeks ago.
The Forest Perspective: A “Significant Return”
For Nottingham Forest, the sale represents a major win for their academy. After joining from Glentoran in 2020 for a small fee, Forest have turned a massive profit on a player who never actually made a senior appearance for the club.
Craig Mulholland, Forestโs Head of Football Development, noted: “This deal provides us with a significant return on investment and ensures Jamie can continue his development at a high level. We have no doubt he will have a successful career.”
Final Verdict: The Bloomfield Revolution
Since taking the helm on January 9th, Matt Bloomfield has been ruthless in addressing Oxfordโs weaknesses. In McDonnell, he has secured a player with the energy of a youngster but the experience of a veteran. If McDonnell can translate his League One dominance into Championship survival, that “seven-figure fee” will look like the bargain of the decade