Oxford boss backs young Hatter to be a 'nightmare' during loan stint

Oxford City boss Ross Jenkins is hoping that on-loan Luton Town youngster Jamie Odegah will prove a ‘nightmare’ for National League North defences after signing on a month’s loan recently.

The 19-year-old headed to Town’s academy as an U14 and featured regularly last season for Alex Lawless’ side in the 2025-26 Premier League Cup, where he netted against Exeter City and Brentford. He also headed out on loan to National League South outfit Chelmsford City in January, playing eight times and scoring his first senior goal when netting a dramatic last-gasp winner against Horsham.

To continue his development, Odegah has now headed to the MGroup Stadium to bolster a Hoops' front line that contains Matty Taylor and Tyrone Marsh, getting his first run-out in the 1-0 friendly defeat against Chesham United at the weekend. He will now be hoping to make his competitive debut when City take on Bedford Town this weekend as speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel about his new addition, Jenkins said: “He’s a really polite lad, quiet lad, goes about his business.

"A man of few words, but he's what we want. We needed some speed, to add a bit of speed into the wide areas and upfront. He's a young one, we've got some experience around him and I thought he came on and was really bright. He touches it and goes past people quickly. He’s got a lot to learn, he's had a loan already last season at National League South with Chelmsford and he’ll learn from that. The North is different, but we’ve got some good players around him to help him, and to get him through those games. He's got something that at times you can’t coach and that’s pace and power. We can help him tactically, but he’ll be a nightmare for any defender.”

Odegah himself was delighted to have been in demand from his new club top, adding: “I’m very happy to be here, especially as the manager wants me to be here. It (meeting the players) was nerve-wracking at first, but they were all really nice to me so the nerves went away. I thought it (playing against Chesham) was a good experience, I get to know how the team plays, so when we go against Bedford, how we can beat them next week. The manager really wanted me to come here, so I want to play under someone who wants me to join and hopefully we can get promotion this season.”