Oxford United have shown their commitment to Gavin Whyte by handing the Northern Ireland winger the No10 shirt ahead of the upcoming 2019/20 season.
The former Crusaders forward, who joined the League One club last summer, scored nine goals in his first season in English Football including a hat-trick against Shrewsbury Town in April.
Oxford boss Karl Robinson told the club website: “With the players due in for testing on Saturday and then starting training on Monday, we wanted to make a start on our planning for next season.
“I have spoken to Gavin and he is naturally honoured to be given the number 10 shirt for the new campaign. He is an exciting player and features highly in our plans going forward”.
Whyte, who is highly rated by Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill, won has fifth cap in last week's crucial 2-1 Euro 2020 qualifying win over Estonia in Tallinn.
An injury meant he sat out last Tuesday's 1-0 win over Belarus at the Borisov Arena, a result that made it four wins from four at the start of the Group C campaign.
Nottingham Forest have been linked with a £2m move for Whyte but The U's are keen to keep a firm hold of their rising star.
And handing him the high profile No10 shirt is a sure sign of their determination to keep him happy at the Kassam Stadium.
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