Oxford United have sealed the signings of defender David Hunt and midfielder Danny Rose on two-year deals. Hunt’s move to Kassam Stadium was expected after his contract at Division Three side Crawley Town had been cancelled by mutual consent, while Rose returns to the club after last playing for United back in 2008.

Rose joins the Yellows from fellow Division Four outlet Fleetwood Town. The 25-year-old central midfielder came through the youth ranks at Premier League Champions Manchester United before enjoying a loan spell at the Kassam Stadium in 2007. Rose made his transfer permanent in 2008 where he went on to to make a further 19 appearances for Oxford, but failed to score in the two years he spent with the Us.

He spent much of last season on loan at Aldershot Town after finding first-team chances hard to come by with the Cod Army, making 37 appearances for the Shots who unfortunately fell out of the Football League’s trapdoor at the end of the season.

Right-back Hunt, who can also play in midfield, still had one year remaining on his current deal at the Broadfield Stadium, but boss Richie Barker has agreed to end the 30-year-old’s contract in order for Hunt to join United this summer.

Hunt made 28 appearances for Division Three side Crawley last season, and has played over 90 games for the Red Devils since joining from Brentford back in 2011. The tough defender had a pivotal role in Crawley’s incredible successive promotions from the Conference and Division Four, and was part of the side which reached the FA Cup fifth round before losing out to Manchester United.

Both additions put pen to paper on two-year contracts at the Kassam Stadium, with an option of a further year.

Rose was delighted to rubber-stamp his return to Oxford, saying: “It’s a club I have always followed since my first time here. They gave me my big break and I am so pleased to be back.

“I feel like I have matured as a player, I was only 19 when I first signed, and I believe I have learned my trade in the years in between. There is such potential here and as soon as I heard of Oxford’s interest there was only one club I wanted to play for.”

Boss Chris Wilder was also happy to welcome the duo: “Both of them are very good players who we have been watching for a while now. David has won this league and played at a higher level while Oxford fans will remember Danny as being a gifted player even as a teenager.

“They both have terrific attitudes and are strong characters who want to win things.”