WARRINGTON Town defender Teddy Mfuni has been snapped up by a Football League club.

The 18-year-old centre-half has been confirmed to have joined Oxford United having spent the first half of the campaign at Cantilever Park.

Mfuni’s move makes him the second Town player to have joined a League One club in the space of six months after forward Matty Grivosti joined Bolton Wanderers.

While there is believed to be no transfer fee involved due to Mfuni’s non-contract status, manager Mark Beesley says moves like this will only grow Yellows’ standing among potential future players.

“We took Teddy in the summer and we’ve been able to develop him and help him grow as a player,” he said.

“He’s learned a lot from the lads in training and being around the other players and staff, and I know Teddy wants to thank everyone at the club for their help.

“He’s the second player we’ve had in six months now move on to League One, so it shows the sort of environment that we’ve got here and that it can help young lads to develop and fulfil their dreams of becoming full-time professional footballers.

“We’re proud of that and hopefully it encourages others that this is the right club for them.”

After impressing against Town in a friendly while playing for Blackpool’s under 23s on trial, Mfuni was signed by Beesley to bolster his squad.

He made four appearances for the club, the last of them in the Cheshire Senior Cup defeat to Stalybridge Celtic in October.

Beesley was also keen to highlight the progress made by Josh Seary after the loanee right-back returned to parent club Preston North End.

The last of Seary’s 26 appearances for Town came during the 1-1 draw at Nantwich Town on January 2 and it is thought the Lilywhites are impressed with how he has developed as he returns to push for a place in the first team.

“We brought Josh in and Preston have been made up with the progress he’s made. He obviously fit in well with us and became a regular,” Beesley said.

“They’re now hoping he can push towards a first team spot, and again it just shows the environment we’ve got here can help get the best out of players and help them in their development.”