Ruben Rodrigues has been announced as the latest parting member of the Oxford United dressing room, with the 28-year-old set for a move to Brazil. A fee is yet to be unveiled publicly.
Top-flight Brazilian outfit, Esporte Clube Vitória, have reportedly sealed a deal with an undisclosed fee for Rodrigues. The Portuguese midfielder has been with the Championship side for two seasons and was crucial in their promotion to the second division in the 2023/24 campaign.
Past Performances
In the 28-year-old’s inaugural season with the U’s, following a switch from Meadow Lane in the 2023 summer window, Rodrigues scored nine goals and assisted eight to stand out as one of Oxford’s mainstay and important assets.
National League endeavours for three full seasons with Notts County, saw Rodrigues fire in an exceptional 51 league goals in 125 fifth tier appearances. Prior to this spell in England, the midfielder played across the Netherlands for Gemert, FC Den Bosch and De Treffers – subsequently making a name for himself in the lower divisions.
Each Party’s State of Play
Vitória finished 11th in the Campeonato Brasiliero Série A table last campaign and currently sit 16th in this season’s iteration. The added quality and experience of Rodrigues will be vastly important for the Brazilian side’s squad.
Oxford are yet to make a signing this window and have let go of Max Woltman, Josh McEachran and Joe Bennett. Stuart Findlay has left the London club in search of a temporary spell and more game time with Hearts. This is after a loan deal with Kilmarnock concluding this summer for the 30-year-old.
With the situation of the Kassam Stadium still awaiting its next development, caution over transfer business is being prioritised by Oxford at this moment in time.
Writer’s View
After a fairly underwhelming season in an underrated Oxford side last campaign, Rodrigues leaving this summer for a paid fee is possibly the best move for all involved. Vitória are in a pivotal moment in their season, where form needs to be found to avoid slipping into an early relegation battle, and the U’s needed to invest in more quality in the attacking midfield area anyway.
The 28-year-old will be able to continue his career outside of Europe and in a top-flight, prestigious league. Great performances could end up saving his new suitor’s season and cement a permanent place in the Serie A, or it could earn Rodrigues a move back to Europe’s highest ranked leagues for one final career resurrection.
