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Cambridge news - themaclad - 10-05-2023
Greg Taylor
Greg Taylor was out of action for a year after breaking an ankle against Plymouth in August 2021
Cambridge United defender Greg Taylor is to leave at the end of his contract after more than 10 years with the club.
The 33-year-old made 15 appearances this season, the most recent in a 5-1 defeat by Shrewsbury in January.
The U's secured their League One status on the final day of the campaign with a 2-0 win over Forest Green Rovers.
"I am sad to be leaving a place that has become my home but I am leaving the club in a better place than when I joined," Taylor told the club website.
He was signed from Luton Town in the summer of 2013 and played every game that season as they regained their place in the English Football League and won the FA Trophy.
Read more: Cambridge boss Bonner plans 'summer of change'
Taylor did the same again in 2020 as he captained them to promotion from League Two and has played 373 games for the U's in total, the 10th highest in the club's history.
"Having worked within the first team set up for many seasons now, he has been relied upon by multiple head coaches and since my appointment, has been an integral part of the team," said boss Mark Bonner.
"I thank him for his contributions, dedication and resilience throughout the past decade and will miss his character around the training ground."
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 12-05-2023
This season's top scorer Sam Smith is among nine players leaving League One Cambridge United this summer.
Smith, 25, scored 14 goals this term - including in the crucial 2-0 win over Forest Green on the final day which guaranteed survival in the third tier.
Liam O'Neil, Dimitar Mitov, Harvey Knibbs, Joe Ironside, Shilow Tracey, Lloyd Jones, Ben Worman and George Williams are also leaving.
"Today we say goodbye to some legends of this club," boss Mark Bonner said.
"Some - who we would loved to have kept - want to seek other opportunities. Others, it is my decision to release. But all of them leave with our huge thanks, respect and best wishes."
Five players have been offered new contracts.
Ryan Bennett, Harrison Dunk, Paul Digby, George Thomas and Fejiri Okenabirhie are considering their new deals.
Five of the departing players have made more than 100 appearances for Cambridge, with O'Neil the longest serving having joined the U's before the 2016-17 season.
Mitov has spent the past five seasons as the club's number one goalkeeper, while Smith, who also had a season-long loan with Cambridge in 2019-20, scored in seven of the last nine games of the campaign to help the U's beat the drop.
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 10-06-2023
Long-serving full-back Harrison Dunk will remain with Cambridge United for a 13th season after signing a new one-year deal with the League One side.
The 32-year-old has made 457 appearances for the U's since joining from Bromley in 2011.
He has twice helped the club to promotion, from non-league in 2014 and up from League Two in 2021.
"As soon as I knew that the club wanted me to stay on, it was a done deal," Dunk said.
"It's been an incredible journey over the past 12 years and it is amazing to see how far the club has come in that time.
"I am honestly so proud to still be here and I hope that we can make some more great memories again next season."
Dunk made 27 appearances for Cambridge last season and scored three crucial goals late in the season which helped the U's narrowly avoid relegation.
His deal come a day after Cambridge handed midfielder George Thomas, 26, a new two-year contract.
Thomas scored one goal in six appearances after arriving on a short-term deal from QPR last season.
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 13-06-2023
Cambridge United forward Fejiri Okenabirhie has agreed a new 12-month contract with the League One club.
The 27-year-old made 17 league appearances last season but his two goals both came in an EFL Trophy game at Northampton Town.
He arrived from Doncaster Rovers last summer and could be given more opportunities in 2023-24 after Joe Ironside and Sam Smith left the club.
"As a player, I feel there is more to come from me," he said.
"I definitely feel like my body is in the right place now to have a strong year and get back to my best."
Cambridge retained their third-tier status with victory over Forest Green Rovers on the final day of the season, having been in the bottom four since January.
Head coach Mark Bonner has promised changes this summer but said he was "excited" by Okenabirhie's potential.
"Without doubt he has all the technical qualities to score goals and create chances, along with providing excellent link play," he added.
"His physicality brings pace and power to attacks, which will enable us to press from the front and give us explosive runs beyond defensive lines.
"His versatility to play in any of the four forward positions will certainly benefit us."
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 16-06-2023
Cambridge United midfielder Paul Digby has signed a new two-year contract with the League One club.
Digby, 28, who has made 147 appearances since arriving in July 2020, is now tied to the Abbey Stadium until 2025.
U's boss Mark Bonner said: "Paul's leadership, character and robustness makes him a vital part of the team.
"I feel like I am just getting started here. I am hungry for more success," said Digby.
"I feel like there is so much going right at the club. It is important sometimes to realise what you have got instead of looking elsewhere."
Cambridge finished 20th in League One in 2022-23, avoiding relegation by just a point.
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 22-06-2023
Cambridge United have signed goalkeeper Jack Stevens from League One rivals Oxford United on a two-year contract.
The U's say Stevens, 25, is moving on a free transfer but Oxford will be "retaining a future interest" should he be sold in due course.
He came through Oxford's youth set-up but spent last season on loan at Port Vale, making 27 League One appearances.
"I know the league really well and I am looking to show everyone how good a goalkeeper I am," Stevens said.
Stevens played 75 games for Oxford but also had spells in non-league football in 2017 and 2018 before joining Vale on loan last summer.
He is Cambridge's first signing since escaping relegation on the final day of last season and boss Mark Bonner said: "A strong goalkeeper union is always important in the team and I believe that Jack will be an excellent addition within that.
"He's quick around the goal and off his line, deals well with crosses, is a strong shot stopper and shows composure with the ball."
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 26-06-2023
Cambridge United have signed defender Danny Andrew from fellow League One side Fleetwood Town on a one-year deal.
The 32-year-old made 177 appearances across four seasons for Fleetwood and has played at every level of the EFL.
Andrew, whose previous clubs have included Cheltenham Town and Grimsby Town, said the move felt "really good".
He added: "It seems a really good place. I think I can really help the team. Hopefully I will fit in well and the lads will appreciate me."
Peterborough United youth product Andrew made 30 appearances and scored once for Fleetwood last season.
He was predominantly deployed at left-back but did not feature in any of Town's final 11 matches of the campaign.
"We moved quickly to secure his signature once we were made aware of his availability and his desire to be with us has been clear from our first discussion," said Cambridge manager Mark Bonner, calling Andrew a "really good addition" after he became the club's second summer signing following the arrival of goalkeeper Jack Stevens from Oxford United.
"His experience, particularly at League One level, signifies our intent to add game maturity at this level to the team.
"He is a player who possesses excellent quality in possession, is a superb crosser of the ball and has a good passing range. His quality at set plays will enhance us in that area, too."
Cambridge will start the new season with a home game against Oxford on 5 August.
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 27-06-2023
Cambridge United have signed striker Gassan Ahadme from Ipswich Town on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old Moroccan's arrival will help fill the gap left by Sam Smith and Joe Ironside, who were released by the U's at the end of last season.
Ahadme joined Town from Burton Albion last September and has played two first-team games - both in the FA Cup.
"Gassan is a player we have been chasing for some time," said Cambridge head coach Mark Bonner.
"He is a strong runner, links the game well with his back to goal and has the ability to score a variety of goals.
"As a high crossing and forward running team, he will fit into the style of our game really well."
Ahadme was loaned back to Burton for the second half of the 2022-23 season and scored once in seven appearances.
He is Cambridge's third summer signing following goalkeeper Jack Stevens and defender Danny Andrew.
Having narrowly avoided relegation last season, Cambridge begin the new campaign with a home match against Oxford United on 5 August.
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 03-07-2023
Defender Ryan Bennett has agreed a new one-year contract with League One club Cambridge United.
The 33-year-old former Wolves, Norwich and Swansea centre-back joined the U's in January on a contract to the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
He made 21 appearances as Mark Bonner's side saved themselves from relegation by winning their final game.
"Extending Ryan's stay with us was a big aim of mine at the end of last season," head coach Bonner said.
"I talked throughout the second half of last season about him being a player you can rely on, about having high standards and being low maintenance. These are only a few of his qualities.
"Clearly a player of excellent experience, we all saw and felt his impact in the team last season and I am sure everyone will see this as another strong addition to the team we are building.
"Ryan still has plenty to offer and his presence will help us consistently find our best levels, as well as improve the players around him."
Cambridge start the new season with a home game against Oxford United on 5 August.
RE: Cambridge news - themaclad - 13-07-2023
Cambridge United have made their fourth signing ahead of the new season after agreeing a deal for Wigan midfielder Jordan Cousins.
The 29-year-old joins on a one-year contract having spent the last two seasons with the Latics.
Cousins came through the academy at Charlton before graduating to the first team and moving on to QPR and Stoke prior to Wigan.
U's boss Mark Bonner said Cousins was an "excellent signing".
"He brings with him bags of experience at Championship level and winning experience in League One," Bonner added.
"He reads the game superbly, is tactically wise, powerful and will help us greatly."
Cousins joins goalkeeper Jack Stevens, defender Danny Andrew and striker Gassan Ahadme at the Abbey Stadium ahead of the new season, which starts with a home game against Oxford United on 5 August.