Northern Ireland forward Jamie Donley has joined Oxford United on loan from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old had been on loan at fellow Championship side Stoke City for the first half of the campaign, however Spurs recalled him from the bet365 Stadium early due to a lack of first team opportunities before agreeing the deal with Oxford.
Following his move Donley told the U's website: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I’m determined to make the most of.
“I want to influence games and be decisive in the final third, but that all starts with hard work. I take real pride in working for the team and doing the basics right.”
Donley, who has the option of making the deal permanent at the end of this season, had a successful loan spell at Leyton Orient last season, scoring eight goals and registering 10 assists, and he feels that experience will stand him in good stead.
“My loan experiences have taught me a lot. I’ve had big highs and challenging moments, but those are what shape you as a player. I feel ready to come here, compete and show what I can bring.”
Donley, who joins fellow Northern Ireland internationals Brodie Spencer and Ciaran Brown at the Kassam Stadium, is expected to make his debut for Oxford in their FA Cup third round tie at MK Dons on Friday evening.
In other transfer news Doncaster Rovers have signed Northern Ireland Under-21 internationals Darren Robinson and Bayley McCann from Derby County and Barnsley respectively.
Robinson (21), who has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal with Rovers, had loan spells with Hartlepool United and St Patrick’s Athletic during his time at Derby County, but felt now was the right time to move on.
“I think this is the right move for me at this stage and I’m really happy to be here,” he told the club website. “It’s been going on for a few weeks now and I’m happy to get it sorted."
Bayley McCann, son of Doncaster Rovers boss and former Northern Ireland international Grant McCann, has also agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the League One side and has immediately re-joined Alfreton Town on loan, having spent the last two months with the National League North side.
Grant McCann said: “Bayley is maturing, progressing and developing all the time. He’s got 40-odd National League North appearances under his belt, which is good going for a young lad.
“We see him in the bracket of a development player who can come in and make a real impact in this group in time.”
Meanwhile, Preston North End defender Jamal Lewis has extended his contract with the Championship side until the end of the season after several impressive performances for the Lancashire side.
The former Norwich City and Newcastle United left back initially arrived at Deepdale on a short-term deal and played half a dozen games for the club before being sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury.
He told the Preston website: “Thankfully I recovered quickly from my injury and I’m happy to be back with the boys now and I’m raring to go.
“Hopefully when I get a consistent run of games in, they (the fans) should see the Jamal Lewis that's at full flow down the left.
“I want to get back into the starting eleven and help the team as much as possible. I feel good, I’m fit and healthy, and I’m ready to go.”
Finally, League Two outfit Crawley Town have swooped to sign highly rated U21 international Jonny Russell from Glentoran for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old full back, who played 80 first team games for the Glens, was given an instant debut at the weekend as Crawley made it 10 games without a win. They suffered a 3-0 defeat away to Cheltenham Town.
