Ex-Bristol City and Bristol Rovers man available for free after League One exit

Oxford United have told Matt Taylor that his contract with the League One club will not be renewed this summer.

Taylor along with Djavan Anderson and Jodi Jones, will depart the Kassam Stadium once their deals expire at the end of June. Jones and Anderson had been playing away from the U's since January after joining Notts County and Port Vale on loan respectively.

Explaining his decision, manager Liam Manning said: "We held one-to-one meetings on Monday; these things are never easy and I believe should be face to face when possible.

"Obviously Matty Taylor is a club legend and has been here in two spells since he was just a kid, so I am sure the fans will join us in thanking him for everything he has done for the club."

He reunited with former Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke in January, and during his time at Vale Park, he scored four goals in 14 appearances, helping the Valiants to survival in their first season back in the third tier. Taylor had scored six goals in 29 appearances for Oxford in the first part of the campaign.

Taylor was the first player since Trevor Morgan to move directly from the blue side of Bristol to Bristol City, though numerous players have turned out for both clubs. He scored 68 goals in 134 appearances for Rovers, and helped them to two promotions, but after the Robins activated his release clause, he was unveiled as a City player.

Kyle Joseph - a summer transfer target for Joey Barton - has also returned to his parent club Swansea City after his loan expired. The 21-year-old scored nine goals and got one assist with the U’s, but is under contract with the Welsh club until the summer of 2025.