STANLEY Mills’ loan move to Oxford United has been on the cards for most of the summer, both the player and head coach Liam Manning have revealed.
The Everton winger has joined the U’s on a season-long loan, his first temporary move away from Goodison Park.
READ ALSO: Oxford United sign Everton winger on season-long loan
Speaking after the move was announced this afternoon, the 19-year-old outlined why he chose United above other options.
He said: “Oxford was on the table from the start of pre-season and I wanted to get it done as soon as possible, and now I’m here, I can’t wait to get started.
“Just to be here and to play regular first team football, and hopefully battling for three points every week, will be great for my development.
“I just want to help the team do as best we can this season.
“The manager presented the club to me and it was so in depth.
“I want to work under him and I feel he’ll develop me as a player.”
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Discussing the deal from the Toffees’ perspective, Mills said: “It’s big for them where I go and I think here is the right fit for everyone.
“Hopefully I’m going to get minutes and have a good season, and go back there and hopefully challenge next season.”
Manning said: “I’m delighted to get Stan in, it’s been long coming. I think the first talks were the first week of pre-season so it’s taken quite a period of time.
“Premier League sides start back later than us and rightly so want to have a look at their own players.
“I’m really pleased he’s joined us. If you look at his record last season, he did extremely well for their Under-21s and I’m excited by what he brings to us.
“When we first met him, you could see in his character that he’s a thinker.
“Sitting in the meeting with him that day, you could tell he’s an intelligent lad and he’s quite clear in terms of what he needs and what he’s looking for.
“He’s a really good addition to what we’ve got already.”