• Wed. Feb 19th, 2025

Sam Long signs new three-year contract with Oxford United

Byoxfordnewspaper

Feb 17, 2023

SAM Long hopes to continue being a leader at his hometown club after signing a new three-year deal with Oxford United.

The Bicester-born 28-year-old, who made his 200th U’s appearance in the 1-1 draw at MK Dons last weekend, will remain with the club until the summer of 2026.

Long’s previous deal was due to expire in 2024.

He first signed professional terms with United in 2013 and is the club’s longest-serving player.

READ AGAIN: Sam Long looking forward to ‘very proud moment’ as he awaits 200th U’s appearance

“It’s been a long stint, I’m probably due a testimonial soon,” said Long.

“I’m really, really happy to sign – the club means a lot to me and my family.

“It’s my hometown club and I’ve been here since I was eight years old.

“I’ve signed this deal and I’m looking forward to the next three years, and giving my all for the club which I always have done since I was a young boy.”

A versatile member of head coach Karl Robinson’s squad, Long is more than capable of playing in any of the positions across the backline.

He said: “At the start of my career, it probably did hinder me a little bit being able to be versatile because it was probably a better option for me to be on the bench and be able to come on.

“Now as a senior player, it’s where I can slot in throughout the game.

“It doesn’t matter to me if I start at right back and end at centre half.

“I’m just happy to be playing and I’ll work as hard as ever to keep that shirt because I know there’ll be people wanting to take that.”

Having now racked up 201 appearances for the U’s, Long is very much a leadership figure in the dressing room, although he admits it’s something that’s always been part of his game.

“I think I’ve always been a leader, even when I was a young pro, I was always an older head on young shoulders,” he said.

“Now I’m an older head on older shoulders, it comes with more responsibility.

“I really enjoy responsibility, it’s something that I really like.

“On and off the pitch, I’ll always be that character – that’s just part of my DNA and that will never change.”