Oxford today signed Jamie Cook from Crawley Town. The former United player, who was weighed down by the Rage On sponsorship curse in his initial spell with the club, signed a two-year deal on transfer-deadline day (today). Cook has been played as a striker by Crawley, where he has a scoring rate of almost 50 per cent.

Cookie, from Witney, joined Oxford for a small fee which was funded by the 12th Man initiative. The reasons given on the Crawley web site were that he could no longer face the commute from Witney, but we have to admit to a certain scepticism there, as it doesn't seem to have bothered him for the previous three seasons. We hesitate to suggest that the thought of playing alongside Jefferson Louis and Eddie Hutchinson would have influenced his decision.

Cook's presence will add yet more competition to a strong United squad. A lack of firepower on the bench was noticeable in yesterday's draw with Forest Green Rovers, and as Cook can also play on both wings his presence will be even more useful. Apparently Cook took a pay cut to join United, although that will doubtless be recovered by his reduced travelling costs.[@player]cook, jamie[/@player] We welcome Jamie back to his spiritual home, and reassure him that, for now, he will not have to carry the RO sponsorship curse.