Ruben Roosken leaves Huddersfield Town in Oxford United move
The left-back moves up into the Championship in a loan move that will become permanent in the summer
Ruben Roosken has left Huddersfield Town in a transfer deadline day move to Championship side Oxford United. The move is an initial loan for the rest of the season with an obligation for Oxford to buy him in the summer.
The Dutchman departs as the U’s look to bolster their Championship survival hopes. He will link up with former Town teammates Brodie Spencer and (just about) Michal Helik at the Kassam Stadium
Roosken arrived in a permanent move from Heracles Almelo in January last year and was a regular in the Town side towards the end of last season as well as under Lee Grant towards the beginning of this campaign.
However, Roosken began to find himself out of favour under the former manager in December and has started just one of Town’s past 13 games in all competitions. He has not featured at all for new head coach Liam Manning.
Town signed Bali Mumba to play in Roosken’s left-sided role, while Mickel Miller has recently returned from a hamstring injury and Sean Roughan is expected to come back from a groin injury imminently.
Oxford are currently second from bottom in the Championship and five points adrift of safety with a game in hand over 21st-placed West Brom.
Manning said in a club statement: “Ruben’s departure is in the best interests of all concerned.
“Given our strength in depth on the left, he was unlikely to be satisfied with his playing time here, and a deal has been agreed that allows him to join another good club.
“We’re pleased with what we have available to us in that area of the pitch, and I’m happy that we’ve been to reach a conclusion that gives both ourselves and Ruben a satisfying outcome.
“Having worked hard and remained professional throughout, I’d like to thank Ruben for his efforts in the short time we’ve been at the club together and join everyone else here in wishing him nothing but success in the future.”
Sporting director Chris Markham added: “Following the arrival of Bali Mumba and Mickel Miller’s return to fitness, we knew that we had an area of the squad that was congested with talent, especially with a number of other players available to us comfortable in that position.
“Working closely with Ruben and his representatives to find a solution in our collective interest, Oxford United displayed a strong desire in making this deal happen.
“Managing our squad effectively allows us flexibility in both the short and long-term to make changes when and where we see fit. With the terms of the deal including a clause to make the transfer permanent, all parties have clarity moving forward and we wish Ruben the best of luck with his new side.”