Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle has joined Oxford on a season-long loan, the club has confirmed.

The 18-year-old had previously been linked with a move to Wanderers after losing James Trafford and Joel Dixon.

However, the Whites have brought in Nathan Baxter and Joel Coleman on free transfers from Chelsea and Ipswich respectively over the past few days.

Beadle has represented England at youth level, featuring against Iraq at the Under-20 World Cup last month.

The highly-rated shot stopper spent a couple of months on loan at Crewe last season before returning to his parent club due to injury.

The Railwaymen had already asked about taking the youngster on loan again but he will now be playing League One football.

“I’m excited to get started at Oxford,” Beadle told the club website. “I met with Liam Manning and was hugely impressed by his plans and how the club is set up. I’m really looking forward to playing my part in a successful season.”

Oxford managed to avoid relegation despite a difficult campaign last term, finishing two points above the drop zone.

Manning is excited to work with the youngster and believes he has the attributes to succeed in the modern game.

He added: “He is highly-rated and for good reason - he’s tall, athletic, commands his area and is a modern keeper who distributes the ball really well.

“Even though he’s only 18, he has a fantastic attitude and we can’t wait to start working with him to continue his development.”

Beadle becomes Oxford’s fourth signing of the summer following the additions of Jordan Thorniley, Josh McEachran and Ruben Rodrigues. The latter had an impressive campaign as Notts County clinched promotion from the National League.

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