Riley joins Oxford United on Loan

Bolton Wanderers have this morning announced that Joe Riley has joined Oxford on loan.

TRANSFER NEWS: Joe Riley has joined @OUFClive on loan until January 1. #BWFC pic.twitter.com/64zvbyZGU7

— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) July 28, 2014

Riley, 22, who is a product of the club's Eddie Davies Academy will join up with the U's until January 1st when his loan expires. The right back has played nine times for the Trotters including an impressive performance in Bolton's 5.0 demolition of Stoke City at the Reebok Stadium back in 2011.

Riley's development was severly hindered last year after he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in a preseason friendly against Skelmersdale.

The 22-year-old defender joins fellow new signings Danny Hylton, Michael Collins and George Long in the Oxford United squad for the new season.

Riley has featured heavily in the Whites' preseason tour of Scandinavia and is in line to make his U's debut at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow night.

When asked, this is what former Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool and current Oxford United boss, Michael Appleton, had to say about his new signing,

"I'm delighted to have Joe here" head Coach Appleton said. "He is six foot tall, he has pace and he uses the ball well. A lot of clubs have been monitoring his career and he has a chance to come here, play games and show everyone what a good player he is."

Earlier this morning Riley also revealed to the Oxford Mail that joining up with Appleton was a key feature in the deal,

"I had a couple of other options, but I was always interested in coming here.

"It's because of the manager, I know him through a few people and everyone holds him in high regard.

"I know what a good club this is meant to be and I know they're striving for promotion."

The former Portsmouth manager latter added this about the deal in an interview with the Oxford Mail, Appleton said:

"I know he's been training since March because I'm from that neck of the woods and Bolton spoke very highly of how well he's recovered and done in training.

"There was an opportunity to take him and he brings in bundles of energy.

"In terms of the way we're going to play and be expansive he will certainly be someone we can use."