By Tim Dudding

Jake Wright has left Albion to join Oxford United on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old defender joins the newly-promoted League Two side on a three-year deal after impressing boss Chris Wilder during his loan spell at the Kassam Stadium last season.

Wright joined Oxford at the start of the year after finding it difficult to break into Albion's first team. He went on to play a major role in the U's promotion push, which culminated in a 3-1 win against York City in the Blue Square Premier playoff final.

Wright, who had a year left on his contract with the Seagulls, made eight appearances for the club after signing from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee in August 2009.

Meanwhile, Colin Hawkins, who was out of contract at the end of last season, has declined Gus Poyet's offer to join pre-season training, and could look for a move back to the League of Ireland.