READING FC youngster Sam Smith completed his long-awaited move to Oxford United on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old striker, who was Royals’ top scorer during pre-season, will spend the season on loan at Kassam Stadium.

As exclusively revealed by the Reading Chronicle last month, Oxford were among a number of clubs chasing the former Manchester United schoolboy.

The deal was delayed while Royals were in the process of bringing Sam Baldock to Berkshire and Oxford boss Karl Robinson feared he was going to miss out on Smith.

But after Baldock officially became a Royal on Monday, the deal for the Manchester-born striker was finally wrapped up.

Rbinson said: “I think most fans have known we were looking at Sam for much of the summer because we know all about the qualities he has and what he will bring to the club.”

Smith will join a host of former Royals at Oxford including Jamie Mackie, James Henry and Rob Dickie, who moved to Kassam Stadium on a permanent deal back in January.

Smith is eligible to make his first-team debut in Oxford’s opening game of the season against Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday.