Oxford United have confirmed that striker Will Goodwin has joined Colchester United on a season-long loan deal.
The 23-year-old becomes the latest player to leave the Kassam Stadium temporarily in search of consistent minutes, linking up with the League Two outfit ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
U’s Forward Heads to League Two for First-Team Minutes
Goodwin, who arrived at Oxford from Cheltenham Town in January 2024, has had a frustrating time with injuries since making the step up. After scoring once in eight appearances during his first few months, he missed the start of the following season with ankle ligament damage and featured only three times off the bench before being loaned to Wigan Athletic in January 2025. His time at the DW Stadium saw eight appearances but no goals, and he now joins Colchester aiming to recapture the form that earned him a move to the Championship.
Oxford United head coach Gary Rowett believes the move offers Goodwin a vital chance to restart his progression.
“With Will, he’s a player that has done really well at lower league level… There’s an opportunity for him to go and play games, get chances, and either come back ready to impact our squad or increase his value elsewhere.”
Colchester finished 10th in League Two last season and are targeting a promotion push under Danny Cowley. Goodwin will be hoping to establish himself as a regular goalscorer at the JobServe Community Stadium, but he will be ineligible to play against Oxford in their Carabao Cup clash on 12 August.
This loan marks a crucial point in Goodwin’s career. Having struggled for rhythm at both Oxford and Wigan, he’ll be aiming to prove his quality and reliability over a full season in a competitive environment. A successful campaign in Essex could provide the springboard he needs to return to the Championship with confidence and momentum.
Writer’s View
This move is a smart piece of business for all involved. Oxford United avoid stagnating Goodwin’s development and Colchester gain a striker with technical quality and physical presence—attributes that could flourish with a run of games.
For Goodwin, the challenge now is to stay fit, get minutes, and finally deliver on the promise he showed at Cheltenham. His success in League Two could define whether he remains part of Oxford’s future or becomes a marketable asset for the club. Either way, both teams stand to benefit.
