’With all due respect to Huddersfield’ - Ruben Roosken makes claim on Oxford switch that could backfire | OneFootball

The Dutch defender has joined the U’s on loan for the rest of 25/26 with an option to buy

New Oxford United signing Ruben Roosken has made a bold claim involving parent club Huddersfield Town that could come back to haunt him.

The Dutch left-wing-back joined the U’s on loan for the rest of 25/26, yet an option to buy is also included - which will become an obligation if certain conditions are met.

Speaking in his first interview as an Oxford player, the 25-year-old made a statement that could backfire by the time May comes around.

Ruben Roosken's bold claim involving Oxford United and Huddersfield Town

Speaking to local media ahead of the Coventry City game, Roosken left no doubt about how he views the move in career terms - stressing that moving up from Huddersfield was all about testing himself at Championship level and matching his long-term ambition.

He talked about the hectic nature of getting the deal done before the deadline, made clear he was "very, very happy with the move" and stated that Oxford is "a step up from League One" as he chases the chance to establish himself in the second tier.

Roosken revealed: "I’m very, very happy with the move. It’s a step up from League One. With all due respect to Huddersfield, it’s a big club but I’ve got ambitions and one of my ambitions was to play in the Championship."

Yes, those comments came with the slight caveat of 'with all due respect to Huddersfield', but it’s pretty obvious the Dutchman sees Oxford as the place where he can be a Championship player.

However, Oxford are in the thick of a relegation battle near the bottom of the Championship table. As for Huddersfield, they entered the weekend inside the League One play-off places and have a genuine shot at promotion back to the Championship under new boss, Liam Manning.

So there's every chance the two could see their places swapped come the start of next season.

Why Ruben Roosken's Oxford United claim might spark Huddersfield Town promotion push

While Roosken is linking back up with his best friend in football at Oxford - Brian De Keersmaecker - it’s not exactly the best time for a reunion.

Roosken said of the Belgian midfielder: "I spoke to my best friend, Brian, about the club, and he had nothing but good words to say about the club and the environment.

"At our former club we spent every day together...Our families are very good together so it’s nice to have a friend like that over here. It makes life easier."

Regardless of whether he's now playing with his friend or not, should Oxford go down, there is a scenario where Roosken’s "step up" lasts only a matter of months before he is back in League One - possibly while Huddersfield are going in the opposite direction.

From Liam Manning’s perspective, sanctioning Roosken’s exit in January looked like a sensible call to trim the squad and allow a player who was not firmly first-choice to pursue regular minutes higher up the pyramid.

When asked about Roosken going, the Town boss said to We Are Terriers: "I think Ruben, when you look at it, he wasn’t making squads with Bali [Mumba] coming in, and [Mickel Miller back again]."

Ultimately, although Roosken started 18 league games for Huddersfield this season, with the other players Manning mentioned, the Dutch defender found himself on the periphery before leaving.

For whatever reason Oxford don't end up buying him, these 'step up' comments might come back to bite the left-sided player - especially if Huddersfield end up getting promoted in their place.