Linfield have announced the signing of Joel Cooper from Oxford United on a three-year deal.

The 26-year-old Ballyclare man will make his return to Windsor Park once the transfer window opens after originally joining the Blues from Glenavon back in 2018, helping the club to back-to-back titles as well as being named in the senior Northern Ireland squad.

His performances caught the eye of Oxford to whom he switched in August 2020, although he subsequently returned to Linfield on loan during the latter part of that season.

Welcoming the news, Linfield boss David Healy told the official club site: "Joel knows this club well, so he will settle in easily. He fits into our way of playing and I'm really pleased to have got this business concluded now, to assist with our pre-season preparations in advance of an eagerly anticipated European and domestic campaign.

"It's great that Joel has shown faith in the club and the squad, by committing himself to this three-year contract and I want to assure all our supporters that we are continuing to make plans to try and bring in further players, to strengthen the squad for what is sure to be an even tougher league season next year."