SAM Smith has joined Oxford United on a season-long loan deal from Reading.

It ends a long pursuit of the 20-year-old striker, who has been U’s boss Karl Robinson’s preferred option all summer.

A host of other clubs were believed to be in the race for the former Manchester United trainee, who attracted more attention by performing well for the Royals in pre-season.

He could not go out on loan until the Sky Bet Championship club signed a replacement – something which finally happened last night with Sam Baldock’s move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

And after the formalities were completed this afternoon, Smith was delighted to get the move over the line.

He said: “I’m happy the deal is finally done and I can’t wait for the season to start.

“We were waiting on Reading to bring their preferred target in.

“As soon as that happened I knew I’d be able to go on loan.

“It was about picking the right option and I thought Oxford was the right choice with the squad they’ve built and the manager they’ve got.”

Robinson first acknowledged United’s interest in Smith three weeks ago, but admitted last week the player’s form in the warm-up games was a worry.

But fortunately the patience paid off.

“Just, I was running out of it at one point,” he joked.

“It didn’t help that he was scoring against people like Besiktas.”

He added: "I want to say thank you to Reading. We respected their position on this.”