Oxford United confirmed today that superlative centre-back Jake Wright has signed on a free transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion. Wright, who played 26 games on loan from Brighton last season, including of course the play-off final against York City, has signed a three-year deal.

Wright initially joined Oxford in the wake of the defensive debacle at Salisbury City at the end of December, with Luke Foster being told he could leave shortly afterwards. Wright's first performances were slightly shaky after he'd been played out of position at left back at Brighton, when he could get in their team. He eventually settled down to make the left-sided centre-back position his own, forging excellent partnerships with Rhys Day and, especially, Mark Creighton. His permanent signing, in which the 12th Man fund is paying for his relocation costs to Oxfordshire, means that the central defensive positions for next season aren't looking quite so bare, and Wright possesses the pace that neither Day nor Creighton have so far exhibited. Oxford could still do with another central defender though, just to be on the safe side.

Meanwhile Jamie Cook, released from his contract on Monday, has surprised a lot of people by returning to his previous club Crawley Town, despite strong rumours linking him with both Stevenage Borough and Rushden & Diamonds. When he was previously with Crawley, Cook had complained that the long commute from his Witney home was too tiring, and part of his new contract stipulates that he will be moving much closer to Crawley.

It has also been confirmed today that Oxford's reserve side will be competing in the Totesport.com Football Combination Eastern Division. They will be playing their home games at Didcot Town's npower Loop Meadow on Wednesday evenings and will be playing against the reserve sides of Colchester United, Ipswich Town, Peterborough United, Stevenage Borough, Watford, Wycombe Wanderers, and non-league Luton Town. [@player]wright, jake[/@player][@player]cook, jamie[/@player]