Marley Watkins is reportedly training with League One club Oxford United ahead of a potential move to the Kassam Stadium, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider.
Who Is Marley Watkins?
The 32-year-old forward began his career in the youth ranks at Swansea City but was unfortunately released. This would lead to his first move into senior football as a result.
Following his release, Watkins joined Cheltenham Town in 2008. He played 26 times, scoring one goal. During his three year stay with Cheltenham, Marley was also loaned out to Bath City in the 2010/2011 season.
After this loan spell, he went on to join the Romans on a permanent basis in 2011 where he made 22 appearances scoring five goals. The forward only stayed for one season before joining his next club.
Watkins joined Hereford United in the 2012/2013 season where he went on to make 34 appearances netting five goals.
He made his first venture out of England in 2013 where he joined Inverness and enjoyed a two year period with the Scottish side. He made 59 appearances, scoring eight goals for the club.
After this spell away, he moved back into the English Football League where he joined Barnsley, settling for another two year stay. He was a consistent starter at Oakwell, making 76 appearances and scoring 15 goals over his two years in South Yorkshire.
Marley then moved to Norwich City, making 24 appearances in his one year stay. He failed to register a league goal for the Canaries however, in a fairly disappointing season for the forward.
He moved to the South West of England shortly after this underwhelming move to Norfolk, joining Championship side Bristol City. In his three years at Ashton Gate, Watkins made 27 appearances for the Robins scoring three goals in total. Watkins joined Aberdeen on loan in 2020 where he made nine appearances, netting two goals.
Cardiff City were next on his list of clubs. However, he didn’t make a single league appearance for the Bluebirds and his one month contract wasn’t extended leaving him without a club.
Watkins was in luck however, as he joined Aberdeen for a second spell with the club, signing on a two-year-deal. During his time back in Aberdeen, he scored four goals for the Scottish side before departing in the summer just gone.
Oxford’s Transfer Business So Far
Oxford have had a very impressive transfer window so far with Liam Manning bringing in Notts County star Ruben Rodrigues as well as Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran, James Beadle, Fin Stevens and most recently Mark Harris.
As stated, Marley Watkins has began training with Oxford United in the hope he can impress and gain a contract with the League One outfit to join the growing list of players who have already joined the club.
Writer’s View
Marley Watkins would be a reasonable option for Oxford United, Watkins has great experience playing in both England and Scotland as well as being able to play as a winger and as a striker displaying his versatility across the forward positions.
As well as this, it also makes sense geographically, especially looking at his last few clubs based in the south west region of England.
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