By Tony Fallows

Yesterday Oxford United continued their impressive summer building project by pinching Dean Smalley from under the noses of a number of other clubs. Smalley had been offered a contract at his parent club Oldham Athletic and, according to interviews with boss Chris Wilder, other teams had also offered Smalley terms. One of those clubs is thought to be Division Four champions Chesterfield who had taken Smalley on loan last season where he scored 12 goals in 29 appearances.

The general feeling around Chesterfield is that manager John Sheridan has missed out on this one. 22-year-old Smalley is 6ft tall and a product of the Oldham youth team, with power and pace he is a real handful for clubs at this level and he joins for an undisclosed compensation fee as he is under 24-years-old. Oxford fans may remember him from the recent home draw against the champions which finished 0-0. The number 22 was a constant threat down the Chestefield right, though it is thought that Smalley prefers to play in a more advanced role.

Smalley will join Oxford