NOT many players would pick Sky Bet League Two over the Champions League, but Patrick Hoban is relishing the prospect of a second crack at playing football in England.

After firing the goals which last month saw Dundalk lift the Irish title, securing European football for next season, the ‘Hobanator’ could have sat back and enjoyed his status as a fans’ favourite.

The 23-year-old admits he had to weigh up an offer from the Lilywhites, but the lure of playing on the other side of the Irish Sea proved too powerful.

“There was a great offer thrown in front of me by Dundalk, but I felt I needed a new challenge,” he said.

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“I always wanted to go across the water and Oxford showed the biggest interest.

“It took me a while to think about it, but I made my decision and I’m happy to be here.

“I’m just looking forward to a new challenge.”

U’s fans will have to wait until January for Hoban to make his debut due to international clearance rules, but when he does play it will not be his first taste of English football.

The Irishman joined Bristol City in 2010, but was released at the end of the season without making a senior appearance.

Hoban, pronounced ‘Hooban’ is very confident this move will prove to be far more successful.

He said: “I was 19 when I came over last time, I was kind of naive and very young.

“It didn’t work out, I was playing in defensive midfield and I was never there as a striker.

“I have no regrets with Bristol, it was a great experience, but I think I’m more mature coming over this time.

“I was a boy going over last time, I’m a man coming over this time.”

He added: “Hopefully I will just prove I can play over here.

“That’s my plan at the end of the day, to prove a lot of people wrong. I did that in Ireland, so that’s what I want to do here.”

A return of 42 goals in two seasons at Dundalk meant the U’s were not the only club in the race for his signature.

But Hoban, who rejected an invitation for a trial from Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, stating “I didn’t feel I had to prove myself”, was swayed by United’s sustained effort.

“They came to watch me play, no-one else did,” he said.

“I’ll have to work my way into it but the manager sees me in his plans.

“At the end of the day that’s why I came here and I’m looking forward to the challenge, big time.”

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