Colchester sign Goodwin and agree new Flanagan deal

Will Goodwin has played 11 league games for Oxford and scored one goal since joining the club in January 2024

Colchester United have secured the season-long loan signing of Oxford United striker Will Goodwin.

The 23-year-old has struggled for game time since his January 2024 move to the Kassam Stadium from Cheltenham Town and spent the second half of last season on loan at Wigan, making eight appearances.

Goodwin made just three Championship appearances for Oxford last season and has scored one goal in 11 matches since joining the club.

Meanwhile, the U's have extended the contract of captain Tom Flanagan.

The 33-year-old defender joined the club last summer on a one-year deal and made 45 appearances in all competitions last season.

"Tom [Flanagan] is really important to us," manager Danny Cowley told BBC Essex.

"He's the captain of the group with a lot of experience and knows how to influence those around him to make them better.

"Will is a boy we've been watching for a long time, and I remember seeing him play for Torquay, and thinking 'wow'."

Cowley said Goodwin had offers from some League One teams, but that "he's chosen to join what he thinks will be a top team in League Two."

The U's boss has now made five additions to his squad ahead of the new League Two campaign.