U’s snap up young keeper following Premier League release

OXFORD United have snapped up goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge following his release from West Ham United.

The 20-year-old is a boyhood Hammers fan and had been in the academy since the age of seven.

He signed his first professional contract in May 2022, but left West Ham without making a senior appearance, although he did play for the Under-21s in a 1-0 win at Newport County in the EFL Trophy.

Knightbridge was also on the bench for West Ham’s Europa League last 16 second leg against SC Freiburg, plus for both legs of their quarter final clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

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He joined Harrow Borough on loan in the Southern League Premier South during the 2022/23 campaign.

Knightbridge was among a handful of youngsters released by the Hammers this summer, in addition to former Juventus centre back Angelo Ogbonna.

“It’s an opportunity to come to a Championship club where hopefully, whether it’s this year or next year, I can play for Oxford and cement my career in football,” Knightbridge told the U’s website.

“As a young player, you want to come to a club that has an ambition and I’m happy to be part of that now.

“The idea is to come here and eventually play for this football club, whether that’s staying and trying to do that this season or going out on loan. But the end goal is to become number one at Oxford, and I hope to achieve that.”