Oxford United continue to bolster the club’s Development Squad ahead of the new season, adding defenders Matt Bevans and Kenzer Lee to the side.

19-year-old Lee, who was a Torchbearer in the build-up to London 2012, is a powerful centre back who fell out of the professional game after leaving West Ham United in January. A part of Rob Hall’s year in the Irons’ academy system, Lee struggled for game time in Ian Hendon’s Development Squad due to the rapid progress of England schoolboy international Leo Chambers, who had partnered Lee in the U18 side.

Having ended last season season with Banbury United, the Essex youngster joined Oxford United at the start of pre-season and impressed during the boot camp and early training sessions.

Bevans joins from Division Two side Watford after leaving Gianfranco Zola’s Hornets earlier this year. The 19-year-old right-back was part of Watford’s promising Development Squad programme, and impressed scouts when playing in the FA Youth Cup during the 2010/11 campaign.

His progress at Watford was halted in the second year of his scholarship by a serious knee injury, but the former Chesham United loanee will now look to push on with United’s new Development Squad.

Lee and Bevans have both been on trial with the Us since the end of the league season, and each played 45 minutes in United’s opening pre-season 2-1 victory at Ardley United. They have both signed 12-month contracts at the Kassam Stadium, and will now travel with the Yellow’s for the club’s pre-season tour of Scotland.

Manager Chris Wilder looks forward to seeing what the duo have to offer: “Both Kenzer and Matt came in at the start of pre-season and we think they have ability as well as desire. Earlier, in keeping with Ian Lenagan’s strategy for Oxford Youth development, we took on three local lads in Callum, David and Sam who have all come through the ranks at the Club in the footsteps of Max and Tyrone.

“Now we have three young players from slightly further afield; Matt, Kenzer and Josh. There are some excellent players coming up in the years below at the Club and these are exciting times for Youth Development.

“So much work has gone into that particular area and that will only benefit the first team this season and beyond.”