SUMRITH Thanakarnjanasuth played a role in Oxford United’s transfer business during the January window.

While the Thai businessman’s deal to buy a majority stake in the club did not go through until last Thursday, it had been in the pipeline for several weeks.

There was a confidence the move would go through, to the degree that Thanakarnjanasuth had an input financially into United’s dealings last month.

He said: “Yes, because in January after I watched the season, I think we should strengthen our defence.

“That’s why some of them are from our connections to bring in the defensive line.

“We brought in three defensive players, because we can score goals, but we also concede a lot of goals.

“That’s why we did what happened in January.”

The clearest link came with the signing of Rob Dickie, who signed for an undisclosed fee on January 4.

The 21-year-old centre back was bought from Reading, where Thanakarnjanasuth was part of a consortium which ran the club until last May.

United also paid a fee in January to bring in midfielder Cameron Brannagan from Liverpool.

They were joined by a trio of loan signings, with Manchester City pair Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Ashley Smith-Brown joined by Todd Kane from Chelsea.