Oxford United stars issue good luck messages to striker after £20 million deal

Oxford United players have expressed their support for former loanee Will Lankshear who has secured a move to Middlesbrough in a £20 million deal.

The striker left Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur this week to join Boro in the Championship for a deal worth an initial £10 million, increasing by another £10 million in add-ons based on various incentives.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at the U's from Spurs, scoring 12 goals as the club were relegated to League One under Matt Bloomfield.

Winning the Men's Golden Boot and Young Player of the Season award with the Yellows, Lankshear became a fan favourite in OX4 and has been tipped by many for a career at the top of the game.

He signed for the Teessiders officially on Wednesday, leaving Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs after graduating from their academy and played six senior games, scoring one goal which came in the UEFA Europa League.

Former Oxford United striker Will Lankshear (Image: Jason Dawson)

The England youth international join former Oxford man Myles Peart-Harris in signing for Boro.

Upon arriving at the Riverside Stadium, Lankshear refreshed his Instagram social media page leaving just 10 posts, two from his time at Oxford - a post announcing his awards triumphs and a collaboration with the club where he was videoed scoring a header against Portsmouth.

In his post announcing he had joined the Kim Hellberg's Boro, current and former U's names issued their messages of support.

Former head coach Gary Rowett, who kept Oxford in the second tier in the 2024/25 season before getting sacked last December, commented: "Good luck Will...well deserved."

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Ex-Yellows midfielder Peart-Harris issued his welcome whilst Indonesia international Ole Romeny, who recently departed on loan to Dutch side Fortuna Sittard with a permanent option, said: "Letsgoo !!"

Current Oxford players Aidomo Emakhu, Brian De Keersmaecker and Greg Leigh all also issed warm messages of support to the Teessiders' new centre forward.

On his post issuing a heartfelt goodbye to former club Spurs, some big names shared their support.

Tottenham Hotspur's Will Lankshear celebrates scoring against Reading in pre-season (Image: John Walton/PA Wire)

Jamie Donley, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Kassam Stadium and is contracted to the Premier League side, commented a gif expressing his sadness and support.

Meanwhile, Tottenham stars such as James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Destiny Udogie all shared good luck messages.

Lankshear shone as a youth player for the Lilywhites, scoring 26 goals in 35 matches for the Under-21 side.

He made a first loan move to West Bromwich Albion in January 2025 where he did not manage to score in 11 games before spending the last campaign at Oxford under Rowett and then Matt Bloomfield.