Tsun Dai joins Oxford United in transfer deadline day move from Bury as Karl Robinson dubs Hong Kong hopeful ‘exciting prospect’
Winger, 19, signs two-year deal atEnglish League One side and is welcomed by boss Karl Robinson ahead of game against Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town
League One side Oxford United moved to sign Hong Kong’s Dai Wai-tsun, known in England as Tsun Dai, on Thursday’s transfer deadline day.
The 19-year-old moves to the Kazam Arena from League Two side Bury where he played his first professional campaign last season.
BBC Sport reports that he joins on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
His future at Bury had been described as uncertain at the end of a season which saw him play under three different managers at Gigg Lane as the Shakers failed to stave off relegation to League Two.
Dai had signed a new three-year deal at Bury last summer but found his first team opportunities limited under Chris Lucketti and caretaker Ryan Lowe.
Lowe has now replaced Lucketti as the full-time boss.
The winger played 11 times, scoring once and providing an assist after impressing in preseason last summer.
“I played 80 minutes against Huddersfield and did all right. I cannot wait to get the season going,” he told the Oxford Mail.
Dai left as part of a shake-up, where new boss Ryan Lowe has brought in 12 players, seen another two return from loan and promoted four from the under-18s.
“This is a totally different environment [to Bury] I think. It’s great to be here,” Dai said.
Bottom of the table Oxford lost their opening game of the season 4-0 away at Barnsley and will look to bounce back this weekend when they host Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town on Saturday.
Oxford boss Karl Robinson thinks Dai has lots to offer, telling the club’s website: “He’s an exciting prospect and although he still has plenty to learn he has a fantastic attitude and we think he will continue to develop and improve.”
Dai is yet to play for Hong Kong’s senior team, though he played for them at Under-15 level, and is also eligible for England where he moved aged 11.
The move to Oxford puts him closer to Reading where he began his youth career in England, spending four years there before moving to Bury.
