Oxford have confirmed the signing of midfielder Simon Heslop following his release by Barnsley. The 23-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Us, who are preparing for their return to League football next season. Heslop previously worked with United boss Chris Wilder while on loan at Halifax during the 2007/08 season and played in the Blue Square Premier last season on loan at both Kettering and Luton. He also had loan spells with Kidderminster, Tamworth, Northwich and Grimsby before being released after only one first-team appearance for Barnsley. Heslop's favoured role is centre midfield and he enjoyed his best spell so far at Halifax under Wilder, scoring five goals in 30 games. "I enjoyed working with Chris when he was at Halifax and when I heard that Oxford were interested I jumped at the chance to work with him again," Heslop told the club's official website.