Oxford United striker John Campbell has joined Torquay United on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 26-year-old arrived at the Kassam Stadium back in November from non-league outfit Jarrow Roofing after scoring 24 goals in 19 appearances for the Northern League Division One side.

However, Campbell’s transfer to Conference side Torquay will come as a shock to many after the uncertainty revolving around the forwards future following the January transfer window.

Campbell, who has also had spells with Division One champions Manchester City and Darlington, reportedly returned to Jarrow Roofing last month after United failed to re-negotiate a fee for the striker.

Instead, the club have announced that if they want to keep Campbell beyond the season, they will be due to pay a fee this summer following his loan spell at Plainmoor.

Nonetheless; Campbell has made just one start for the Us, at rock bottom Hartlepool United back in December, before scoring his first senior goal away to Plymouth Argyle in the Yellows’ marvellous 2-1 victory.

The loan deal to send Campbell to Torquay will aim to give the striker more first-team opportunities as he works alongside former Oxford midfielder Chris Hargreaves, who is now manager, and ex-chairman Kelvin Thomas who is advising the Gulls’ board on the south-west coast.

Torquay boss Hargreaves was delighted with the acquisition of Campbell: “I am delighted to have John on board and it gives us a different option in the attacking department.

“We have an excellent group here at the club and any player coming in will fit in with our ethos.

“It shows how we are moving forward as a football club in recent weeks and I’m looking forward to seeing John in action.”

Thomas added: ““It is a really important time of the season for the club and we have to use all available resources to ensure that the squad is strong going into the next few months.

“[Chairman] Thea and the Board raised some additional funds for a previous signing in the January transfer window that didn’t happen, so we have been able to use that at this time.

“I think we all understand, whether it’s using contacts and relationships or funds that have been found, we need to give Chris as much as we can, especially with two big games next week.

“Of course, we would like to thank Oxford United’s Chairman Darryl Eales for helping in this situation and John is definitely known as a goalscorer.

“Speaking to some of the coaching staff at Oxford who have seen him during league and development games, he should add something to our existing strong forward line.”

Campbell could make his Torquay debut when they travel to Wrexham on Saturday for their FA Trophy quarter-final tie.