PEP Clotet says Oxford United’s recruitment policy remains unchanged despite the club signing several players over 30 this summer.

The U’s have enjoyed success in recent seasons investing in young players with a view to developing them into assets who can be sold.

John Lundstram is the latest example, joining Sheffield United last month in a move believed to be in the region of £700,000 two years after joining as a free agent.

Kemar Roofe and Callum O’Dowda departed for seven-figure fees last summer, with about £1 million invested in bringing the next wave of young talent, including Ryan Ledson and Curtis Nelson.

But the last month has seen the likes of Dwight Tiendalli, Mike Williamson and Ricardinho, all of whom are over 30.

However, Clotet was quick to clarify the additions did not mark a change of tack in the transfer market.

In fact, they had been targeted to consolidate United’s plans, according to the manager.

He said: “We are in the same direction and we need our young players to learn, not only from themselves and the coaches but also from their teammates.

“We think if a good player has experience, still has good physicality and is a good character that can help the young ones.

“Still our plan is to always come with young players who can develop and create a value.

“Anything between 22 and 26 is a good age, but in this (Ricardinho’s) case it was a matter of shall we go for a loan and work with a young player for another team, or bring someone in we think is a good player and can help the others develop with his experience?

“The answer was clear.”

The other new element this summer has been players coming from overseas.

Aberdeen’s Chris Maguire was the most exotic figure in United’s squad at the start of last season, but this time they have players from Spain, the Netherlands and Brazil.

While Clotet has no doubt about their ability, he is looking for the younger players to return the favour by teaching their mentors about League One.

“It’s different for them,” the U’s boss, whose predecessor Michael Appleton was also keen on adding experience, said.

“All the players who have come have played in a higher league and they need to learn how the game is played here, so it’s both ways.”

The U’s chief had worked with Ricardinho before during a spell coaching at Malmo in 2010.

But the left back did not initially come on United’s radar via the Spaniard.

He said: “Craig (Dean) our head scout heard about him and checked him out.

“We had a list of three players and we analysed them.

“I knew the player and it was a surprise for me when they brought him up, because I know him very well.

“So when they brought him it came to our minds he could be a good option, but we wanted to analyse him the same way as the other options.

“They flagged it up as our best option and only then I said what I thought.”