Oxford United youngster James Golding, who spent last season on loan at Maidenhead United and Southend United in the National League, will be assessed by U’s boss Gary Rowett in preseason to see if he is ready to join the first team, as per Pete O’Rourke.
O’Rourke also mentions that there are a number of League One and League Two clubs interested in taking the defender on loan if he is not part of Rowett’s plans next season.
Golding’s Career Thus Far
Golding made his senior debut for the U’s aged just 17 in the 2021/22 campaign, where he played once in the EFL Cup and once in League One, starting on the final day of the season.
The following season saw the versatile defender make six more appearances for Oxford United, most of which came in the cups, as he also joined Banbury United on loan in the National League North.
The towering defender made just one senior appearance for the U’s in the 2023/24 season, as he spent more time out on loan. His first loan was to Dartford, also in the sixth tier of English football, and he played nine games for the Darts, scoring his first senior goal in the process.
Alan Devonshire’s Maidenhead United then signed the defender on loan in September 2023. He went on to have a very impressive 10-game loan stint with the Magpies.
Shortly after the start of this season, the former Republic of Ireland under-19 international rejoined Maidenhead on loan. He played eight games for the National League side, scoring two times before joining Southend United in December 2024.
Golding was an instant success at Roots Hall and his initial short-term loan was extended until the end of the season. Unfortunately, a groin problem meant that his season ended in early March, but he still managed to make 14 appearances and score five goals for Kevin Maher’s side as they fought for a playoff position.
Writer’s View
Golding is an excellent young player, but the gap in quality between the National League and the Championship is extremely large.
He is yet to play 30 games of men’s football in a single season and throwing him into one of the most competitive leagues in the world in an Oxford United side that will likely be scrapping at the lower end of the table could shatter the youngster’s confidence.
Although the U’s might need defensive depth as Ben Nelson has returned to Leicester City after his loan expired and Joe Bennett has left the club, they would be best placed recruiting these players externally rather than promoting Golding from within.
Gary Rowett’s men should be focused on finding the right club for the 20-year-old to join on loan next season so that he can gain more senior experience, potentially with a view to him being integrated into the first team in 2026/27.
