OXFORD United’s stylish football in their televised cup wins last week proved the key to Jordan Bowery turning down Sky Bet League One clubs to sign for Michael Appleton.

The striker will be in the squad to face Portsmouth today after signing a deal for the rest of the campaign, joining as a free agent after agreeing a settlement on his final six months at Rotherham United.

Several clubs above United in the pyramid showed an interest in Bowery, who cost Aston Villa £500,000 from Chesterfield in 2012.

But the 24-year-old was swayed by performances he watched on television this month as the U’s beat Swansea City and Millwall.

He said: “They were good games, (John) Lundstram looks a very good player. I know they play nice football because I speak to Joe Skarz and Chris Maguire.

“I watched it and I was very impressed.

“I had no idea Oxford were interested at the time. I was just watching it because there was a game on.

“It’s nice to hear when people say they are playing good football, but to see it is another thing.

“That’s what helped me get the deal going forward.

“It’s not all about the league, it has to be the right team for me with the way they play.

“It was the right opportunity.”

Bowery was part of the Chesterfield side which won the League Two title in 2011/12, going on to score 12 goals in a struggling League One side the following season.

It prompted the move to Villa, but since then little has gone to plan, even after Rotherham United paid a club record, but undisclosed, fee in 2014.

Bowery scored five goals in the Championship last season, but has found opportunities limited in this campaign.

Appleton believes United have gained a player hungry to prove a point.

The head coach said: “I’m sure he will want to show a lot of people he’s already worked with that he has got what it takes.

“The good thing from his point of view is he’s coming into a stable environment with a good group of players.

“I’m sure his performances will be very good for us.”

The deal does not mean United’s hopes of signing another out-of-favour Rotherham forward, Chris Maguire, are over.

The Oxford Mail understands there is still a chance of the Scot coming to an agreement with his parent club, which would pave the way for a return to United after a successful loan spell.