JOE Bennett has signed a deal with Oxford United until at least the end of the season.

The 33-year-old left back initially signed for the U’s at the end of November, agreeing a contract through until the close of this month.

However, United have confirmed that Bennett will now remain with the club until at least the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Both the defender and U’s head coach Des Buckingham had publicly spoken about their desire to sort a fresh deal, with that now completed.

READ AGAIN: Oxford United in talks with Joe Bennett over longer deal for left back

Buckingham said: “He’s come in and demonstrated what a wonderful player he is with the experience he’s brought to us, and will bring to us, in the second half of the season.

“Being able to now extend him to the end of the season, he will complement what we already have there with Greg Leigh and allow us a lot of different options as we move into that second part of the season.”

Bennett was brought to United in order to help minimise the impact of losing fellow left back Leigh to injury, after the Jamaica international picked up a calf problem while representing his country.

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Bennett has played 10 games for the U’s since joining, with the last seven of those being starts.

He began his career at Middlesbrough, making 92 appearances in all competitions, before joining Premier League side Aston Villa in August 2012, for what was a reported fee at the time of £2.5 million.

His four-year stint at Villa Park included loan spells with the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, AFC Bournemouth and Sheffield Wednesday.

Bennett then joined Cardiff City in the Championship, playing 177 times for the Bluebirds, before signing for Wigan Athletic in August 2021.

He spent two years at the DW Stadium, and played 16 times for the club last season prior to leaving in the summer following the expiration of his two-year contract.