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LOVE ISLAND winner Finn Tapp is expected to return to his playing duties in the National League South with Oxford City.

The 20-year-old central defender went AWOL from the Hoops last month in order to take part in the first winter series of the ITV reality show.

 Oxford City are expecting Love Island winner Finn Tapp to return to the club
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Oxford City are expecting Love Island winner Finn Tapp to return to the club

Finn revealed that he plans to move to Manchester with Paige Turley after winning the show, which is a three-hour drive from his current club.

City's commercial director Mick Livesey, who said the club would take measures with new players' contracts over TV show appearances, stated that he hopes the youngster swiftly returns to action.

He told the : "He was [in breach of his contract] but I think you need to take a pragmatic sort of view: A 20-year-old lad, he's offered all this reality TV stuff.

"He has a contract, so he has to finish the contract he has with the football club. He's done very, very well for us.

 Finn and new girlfriend Paige won the reality show, splitting the £50,000 prize
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Finn and new girlfriend Paige won the reality show, splitting the £50,000 prize
 Finn revealed that he plans to move to Manchester with Paige after, three hours from his current club
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Finn revealed that he plans to move to Manchester with Paige after, three hours from his current clubCredit: Instagram / finn_tapp

"I can assure you that all new players we sign from now on, we will be putting clauses in their contracts. I think we're going to have to.

"We're an ambitious football club, we're going from strength to strength and we're looking to build.

"This hasn't been ideal. It is probably disruptive to the club and results.”

Oxford City are currently 12th in National League South, the sixth tier of English football, and have only two games since Finn departed for the Love Island villa.

He has a contract, so he has to finish the contract he has with the football club. He's done very, very well for us

Oxford City's commercial director

Livesey added: “We understand that at 20 years of age this was a huge opportunity for him, we most certainly understand why he took it.

“Finn does have a contract with the club, from our point of view we are excited and looking forward to him returning.

“The football club would like to congratulate Finn Tapp on winning Love Island.”

Finn and Paige are the first couple to win Love Island's winter edition, which took place in South Africa, and decided to share the £50,000 prize.

The former MK Dons star said: "Paigey baby you make me the happiest I’ve been for a long time.

 The couple stayed loyal to each other throughout the show and there was even speculation they got frisky under the sheets
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The couple stayed loyal to each other throughout the show and there was even speculation they got frisky under the sheets



"And you make me so excited for things after Love Island. The one I most excited for is moving to Manchester with you."

“I found Paige and that’s the real win for me and I honestly do mean that.

“Obviously the money helps… but no honestly I can’t actually put it into words, I don’t know how I’ve blagged it to be fair!”

Love Island’s Finley Tapp hints at marriage plans with Paige Turley as they’re crowned winners of the show