Oxford confirm Hargreaves return

Blue Square Premier leaders Oxford United have confirmed the signing of former midfielder Chris Hargreaves from League Two outfit Torquay United.

The 37-year-old joined the Gulls following his release by Oxford in May 2007 and has made 25 first-team appearances in League Two this season.

Oxford manager Chris Wilder told the club's official website: "We are absolutely delighted to add Chris to the players we have.

"Once we knew of his availability we expressed an interest because we know that Chris brings a lot of great attributes at a very busy and hectic time.

"He has been instrumental in Torquay's success over the last two years and been playing regular football in the Football League.

"His fitness is exemplary and he doesn't miss many games in any season.

"We felt in the second part of the season we needed somebody in and around the dressing room and on the pitch with presence and experience of winning big games and winning promotion.

"He has such a desire to do well for this club. As soon as I spoke to him you could sense that hunger to come back and help us succeed in the second half of the season."

Hargreaves started his football career as a trainee with Grimsby Town and has since gone on to represent Hull City, West Brom, Hereford, Plymouth, Northampton and Brentford.