The grandson of former England manager Sam Allardyce has signed for Oxford United on a one-year contract.
The Central defender, also called Sam, was previously part of the youth set-up at Manchester United and Bury. The eighteen-year-old is yet to make a senior EFL appearance.
He was released by Bury after two years with the Shakers earlier this week and has lost no time in sorting himself another club.
Allardyce is the second teenager to sign this week, following full back Kevin Berkoe from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The young defender was highly thought of at Bury, with coaches complimenting him on his work rate and attitude when he announced he was leaving the club on Twitter.
He is commanding in the air and a good reader of the game for someone so young.
Oxford manager Karl Robinson was confident he had signed a young man eager to push for a place in the first team, telling the Banbury Cake: ‘He is still quite raw, but he has this real passion for the game and a natural enthusiasm.’
‘Kevin joining from Wolves means we have brought in two players who have spent time at big club academies and are hungry and want to push on and be part of the first team this season.’
Oxford fans soon took to Twitter to react to the signing with many keen to make puns around the young man’s famous name.
If he turns out to be as good as his grandad, Oxford will have signed an excellent player.
Here is a selection of their responses.
Does he also drink wine by the pint?
— Chris Beale (@bealec1988) May 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/ElliottBaker19/status/1131138971419979776
Little Sam?
— 🕊 (@APFWillmott) May 22, 2019
@BraidyJohnson @liamhughes11 finally oxford have signed a proper legend.
— Liam (@L_Warburton95) May 22, 2019
Wow these 2 signing have really blown my mind 😯
— JY (@JWYOUFC) May 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/RosieEHDodds/status/1131139365445545986
Has someone gone into the quantum realm?
— Willin’ (@smit112) May 22, 2019
Watched him play against posh in the fa youth cup and he and his defensive partner stood out a mile. Both very commanding. This could be a good signing for you guys.
— Tom Jeffries (@JeffriesTom) May 22, 2019
