Huddersfield Town defender Michal Helik is set to join Oxford United after successfully passing his medical.
Football Insider reports that the Poland international has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal with the U’s.
Strengthening Oxford’s Survival Bid
Helik’s transfer aims to bolster Oxford United’s push to secure their place in the Championship following last season’s promotion from League One. The 29-year-old centre-back will bring a wealth of experience, having made 158 Championship appearances and scored 17 goals during his career.
The deal was finalised after Helik attended talks regarding personal terms and completed his medical at the Kassam Stadium on Thursday (16 January). The defender has been a standout performer for Huddersfield this season, appearing 21 times across all competitions and scoring twice.
He joined Huddersfield from Barnsley in September 2022 and quickly established himself as a reliable presence in their backline. Last season, he netted an impressive nine goals from defence, underlining his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch.
Helik’s Impact
Known for his aerial prowess and goal-scoring ability from set-pieces, Helik is expected to play a key role in shoring up Oxford’s defence. His arrival is timely as the team looks to build momentum ahead of their next fixture against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (18 January).
Huddersfield, meanwhile, are adjusting to life in League One under Michael Duff and currently sit fourth in the table, vying for promotion back to the Championship.
Michal Helik
Helik began his career at Ruch Chorzów, making 46 Ekstraklasa appearances and scoring once. In 2017, he joined Cracovia, where he featured in 88 league matches and netted nine goals over three seasons. Helik moved to England in September 2020, signing with Barnsley. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal in a 2–2 draw with Bristol City on October 17, 2020.
After two seasons and 81 league appearances, he transferred to Huddersfield Town on September 1, 2022, on a three-year deal with an optional fourth year. Internationally, Helik debuted for Poland on March 25, 2021, in a 3–3 World Cup qualifier against Hungary. He was part of the Cracovia squad that won the Polish Cup in 2019–20 and has earned individual accolades, including Ekstraklasa Defender of the Season in 2017–18 and Huddersfield Town Player of the Year for 2022–23 and 2023–24.
Writer’s View
Michal Helik’s move to Oxford United is a smart acquisition for a team looking to solidify their Championship status. His proven experience and ability to contribute goals from defence should provide a significant boost. For Oxford, this signing signals intent and ambition, while for Helik, it’s an opportunity to make an immediate impact in a competitive environment. This move could prove pivotal in Oxford’s bid to steer clear of the relegation battle.
