Middlesbrough midfielder Marcus Browne has rejoined Oxford United on-loan until the end of the season, the club has confirmed.

Browne arrived at the Riverside in the summer having spent his whole career in the books at West Ham United, despite never making a first-team appearance for the Hammers.

He spent time out on loan at both Wigan Athletic and Oxford United before sealing a  permanent move to the Teesside with Middlesbrough and Jonathan Woodgate. Since then, he has made 13 league appearances without scoring or assisting, recently serving a three-match ban for a straight red card received against Swansea City.

It hasn’t been the best move possible for both Middlesbrough and Browne and now he is to spend the rest of the season on loan at Oxford United again after the club confirmed the move today.

Browne will link up with U’s manager Karl Robinson for the second time in as many seasons to help their push for promotion and battle at the other end of the table to what he has been used to at Middlesbrough in the Championship this season.

Browne will return from his loan in the summer eager to get back into contention under Woodgate and stake a claim to feature regularly in his second season at the club.

Can you name every Middlesbrough player's shirt number?

The Verdict

This seems like the right move for Browne who has failed to make a decent impression since arriving in the summer at Middlesbrough, a drop-down in division could be very beneficial for him going forward.

It could also be a good deal for Oxford who might just need another boost to make sure they get over the line in their push for promotion.