BURY yesterday swooped to solve their goalscoring problems with the acquisition of Oxford United's Matt Murphy.

The 29-year-old Northampton-born player has been no stranger to goal celebrations in his time with the U's and it is hoped he will continue his rich vein of form at Gigg Lane.

Murphy has been on trial with the club since pre-season training started and has put pen to paper on a one-year deal.

Two years ago he almost kept Oxford up single-handedly with a total of 18 goals from midfield then last year he added another eight despite playing in a struggling side that was eventually relegated.

Chairman Terry Robinson was delighted with Murphy's capture and said: "He is a good player and is just what we've been missing in midfield.

"With a predominantly young team we needed someone with experience after Nick Daws left and we believe he will link up well with Paul Reid.

"With 24 goals in the past two seasons he will hopefully settle in and do the same for us."

Murphy reckons he still has something to offer at a higher level and after his contract ran out at the Kassam Stadium didn't fancy the move into the basement division.

"It've really enjoyed it since I arrived here, they are a great bunch of lads and it seems a good club to come to," he said.

"Bury play a different system to what I am used to but over the past few games we've started to piece it together.

"Oxford wanted to offer me a new contract but I needed to stay in the higher league with a better club.

"There was no way I was going to relegate myself to Division Three and say this is my level, everyone has ambitions and I want to play at as high a level as I can."

Murphy goes straight into boss Andy Preece's first team squad for tomorrow's trip to Tranmere Rovers.