Asa's off (From Herald Series)

Asa's off

9:30am Tuesday 15th May 2012 in United News By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Asa Hall admitted it was a tough decision to leave Oxford United, but the prospect of playing in npower League One next season was too good to turn down.

The 25-year-old was one of three United players to be offered a new contract last week, but has opted to turn it down after interest from elsewhere.

A deal with a League One club closer to his home in the West Midlands is a “no brainer” according to the midfielder and is expected to be completed this week.

Shrewsbury Town, who won automatic promotion from League Two this season, are believed to be his likely destination.

Hall told the Oxford Mail last month he was hoping to stay with the U’s and the ex-Birmingham City trainee insists that was his intention before being approached.

He said: “I loved every minute of my time at Oxford, it’s been a great challenge and the staff, players and fans were fantastic.

“It was disappointing we haven’t achieved promotion during my time there.

“I hadn’t thought about anything but staying, but when offers start coming in, things happen that you can’t control.

“The offer was too good to turn down, the attraction is League One football and it’s nearer to where I live, but it was a difficult decision.”

Hall had difficulty fulfilling his potential at United until the final two months of this season, when he scored six goals in 12 games.

In total, he made 82 appearances in two seasons.

United’s contract was on improved financial terms from his previous deal, but manager Chris Wilder felt there were several reasons why Hall would move on.

He said: “Firstly, the financial deal he’s getting is so much better than we could afford. Secondly, he’s obviously going up a division to League One, and the last one is it’s in his area.

“That combined to make something which is attractive to Asa and there’s not a lot we could do about it.”

United are waiting to hear from Adam Chapman and Wayne Brown, who were also offered deals last week.