Lincoln City were ‘linked’ with Cheltenham Town winger Jordan Thomas in the winter window, according to reports coming out of Oxford.
Those reports now suggest the 25-year-old is closing in on a move to Oxford United following his departure from Cheltenham at the end of the 2025/26 season. Thomas is a free agent after leaving the Robins, and the U’s are said to be moving towards a deal as they continue to reshape under new head coach Aaron Ramsey.
Thomas was reportedly on the radar of both Barnsley and us during the January window, when he was midway through a productive campaign at Whaddon Road. He finished the season with six goals in 39 League Two appearances, while wider reports credited him with eight goals and six assists in 43 appearances across all competitions.
It’s known Barnsley had a bid turned down in July 2025, but I either missed us being linked with the player, or this is a little nugget of information that has crept out now he has moved. Or, it never happened. Either way, a link in January isn’t the same as missing out on the player now, as we’re looking for Championship quality, not free agents from League Two.
The winger’s route to this point has been far from straightforward. Born in Oxford, he spent time in Oxford United’s youth system before beginning his senior career with Didcot Town in 2020. He then moved to North Leigh, where he scored 20 league goals in 78 appearances and helped the club win promotion through the Southern League Division One Central play-offs.
His next step came with Bath City in 2023, and that was where his profile really started to rise. Thomas scored 10 goals in 28 National League South appearances, which brought reported interest from Championship clubs Bristol City, Swansea City and Cardiff City before Cheltenham moved to take him into the EFL.
Cheltenham signed him in February 2024 on a two-and-a-half-year deal, giving him his first opportunity in the Football League. He made 14 League One appearances during the second half of that campaign, before becoming a more prominent figure in League Two across the following two seasons.
Oxford’s interest comes with another layer, given Thomas’ background in the city and his previous time in their academy. They are looking to add attacking depth, and Thomas would offer a different option to Stan Mills on the right side of their forward line.
A move to Oxford would close the door on any lingering prospect of City revisiting their reported January interest, if indeed there was interest. There was never any suggestion that the Imps were close to investigating a deal, and now, Thomas looks more likely to continue his career back in familiar surroundings, with Oxford seemingly at the front of the queue.
lets just hear of new signings not just who we have missed out on