Sam Slocombe intends to do all he can to ensure he starts next season as Oxford United’s No 1.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal at the Kassam Stadium, and is determined to make his mark as soon as the squad report back from pre-season training later this month.

Slocombe has spent the last seven years at Scunthorpe United, making 115 starts for his hometown club since moving from Bottesford Town in 2008.

A broken arm in January ensured a frustrating end to the campaign, but the stopper feels he has a point to prove at Oxford, despite at first having doubts about dropping into Sky Bet League Two.

“They are an ambitious club and the manager sold it to me when I came down a couple of weeks ago,” he said.

“It’s not just the immediate future but they want long-term success as well and that’s massive for me.

“Being honest, I didn’t really want to drop down a division, but there is everything in place at this club to achieve something, and I hope I can play a part in helping them do that.”

The signing means United now have three contracted keepers on their books, with Slocombe joining Ryan Clarke and Max Crocombe in battling it out for a starting role.

His arrival, however, does now mean that the U’s have ended talks with Jamie Ashdown, who played the last five games of the season.

Slocombe, however, is hoping for the opportunity to making himself as the first-choice keeper.

“I know it is going to be hard work to establish myself as a No 1 here because there are some other talented keepers,” he said.

“We will all be wanting to play and I will do everything to make sure I am the one out there for the first game of the season.

“Of course I will be disappointed if I am not, but I will be giving my absolute all to try and make sure I am not disappointed.”

He added: “I was offered the opportunity to stay at Scunthorpe earlier in the season, but I broke my arm and then that was taken away.

“But I didn’t get a feeling from the manager at that club that I would get the chance to play anyway.

“I want to be looking back in three years time and have more than 250 games under my belt, not 150.”

United chief executive Mark Ashton was pleased to bring Slocombe to the club.

“We are delighted to have Sam here – it’s a deal we have been working towards for a couple of months.

“We want to build a squad here that has depth and can compete over the course of the entire season.

“Sam definitely brings more strength to the goalkeeping department.”