OXFORD United have signed Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw for an undisclosed fee.
The 32-year-old, who worked with U’s head coach Gary Rowett at the Lions, was set to be out of contract this summer.
Bradshaw began his professional career with Shrewsbury Town, where he scored 17 goals across 98 appearances in all competitions.
He left the Shrews for Walsall in June 2014, and was an instant hit at the Saddlers, bagging 20 goals in all competitions during his debut season with the club.
Another 20-goal haul followed in the 2015/16 campaign, before a July 2016 switch to Barnsley in Sky Bet Championship.
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Bradshaw scored eight times in 42 league appearances during his first season at Championship level, and then netted 12 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions the following year as the Tykes suffered relegation to League One.
Bradshaw though remained in the Championship after joining Millwall on loan in August 2018, prior to a permanent switch in January 2019.
The 2019/20 campaign saw Bradshaw hit 10 goals in 48 games, with Rowett appointed Lions manager in October 2019.
Bradshaw was in devastating form during the 2022/23 season, bagging 17 Championship goals in 41 games, including hat-tricks at home against Watford and Sheffield United.
He has scored once in 13 matches this season, with injury disrupting his campaign so far.
Rowett said: “He scored 17 goals in the Championship, and most importantly of all, he’s an absolutely fantastic character that I know will fit into our group.
“I think he strengthens our options and the front line in terms of what we can do within the game and at the start of games.
“His Championship knowledge is there for all to see. He’ll be a really good addition to the squad.
“I think he scored two hat-tricks for me in that season, but he’s an incredibly hard-working, intelligent presser.
“He works from the front, he’ll keep the ball alive. I think our players played against him earlier in the season, and they just said he was absolutely horrible to play against.
“I think that’s a real testament to how he plays the game, so I’m really pleased to have got him in the building.”
Bradshaw becomes the third United signing of the January transfer window, following the additions of Netherlands-born forward Ole Romeny from FC Utrecht and midfielder Alex Matos on loan from Chelsea.
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Bradshaw told the U’s club website: “This is something that I feel like I need in my career. This is a fresh start, a fresh challenge, and I’m ready to go out and impress everyone here at the club.
“My aim is to leave everything out on the pitch, that’s the type of player I am. I thrive off scoring goals and ultimately, it’s my job now to do that so I can help the team win games.
“I have seen first-hand this season how strong and competitive the team here is having played against United twice, and this group is one that I want to be involved in.
“The cherry on top is getting to work with Gary again, who was my coach for four years, so I know what he wants from me and hopefully we can deliver together.”