[themaclad]

League One side Cambridge United have signed forward Sullay Kaikai after he left MK Dons earlier this summer.

The 27-year-old joins the club for a second time, having made 30 loan appearances for the U's in the 2014-15 season, scoring six times.

Kaikai began his career at Crystal Palace before spells with Dutch side NAC Breda, Blackpool and Wycombe.

"I did well the first time I was here so I want to replicate that and have a strong season," said Kaikai.

"The way the manager wants to play will suit me down to a tee, having that freedom in the final third, so I am really looking forward to it."

Last season Kaikai scored two goals in 14 appearances after joining the Dons in January. He becomes the U's fifth signing of the summer.

"I am delighted to be welcoming Sullay back with us and believe his athleticism, attacking qualities and attitude make him a brilliant addition," said Cambridge head coach Mark Bonner.

"He manipulates the ball well in tight spaces, dribbles at pace and will create and score goals."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed forward Elias Kachunga on a one-year contract following his release by Bolton.

The 31-year-old is the sixth summer signing by the U's, who staved off relegation to League Two on the final day of last season.

Kachunga scored four goals in 50 games for Bolton in 2022-23, including one in their EFL Trophy final triumph.

"He is a player of excellent pedigree who has played a lot of football at a higher level," said boss Mark Bonner.

"He will complement our existing options in the attacking area of the pitch and can play anywhere across the front line.

"We have received nothing but positive character references in our work to sign Elias and once we get him up to speed, I have no doubt he will play a big role in helping us achieve our objectives this season."

Kachunga was born in Germany and began his career at Borussia Monchengladbach.

He first came to England in 2016 to join Huddersfield Town, initially on loan, and spent two seasons in the Premier League with the Yorkshire club.

The former Germany youth international was called up by the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2017, winning his sole senior cap in a friendly against Kenya that March.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed forward John-Kymani Gordon on loan from Crystal Palace until January.

The 20-year-old has yet to play a senior game for his parent club, but made 17 appearances for Carlisle United during a loan spell last season.

He scored twice for the Cumbrians and played at Wembley in their League Two play-off final win over Stockport.

"I just want to get back playing and to build on last season," Gordon told the Cambridge website.

He could be in line to make his U's debut in Monday's home game against Reading.

"Like many of our forwards, he can play in a number of positions and his qualities suit us perfectly," said head coach Mark Bonner.

"John-Kymani is fit and raring to go having been involved throughout pre-season and the start of the season with the first team at Crystal Palace."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed experienced forward Lyle Taylor following the expiry of his short-term deal with Wycombe Wanderers.

The former Nottingham Forest and AFC Wimbledon striker, 33, has signed a contract until the end of the season.

He has scored more than 150 goals in his career but failed to find the net in nine appearances for Wycombe.

"He has got fantastic experience at this level and leagues above as well," said U's boss Neil Harris.

"He is up to speed now after having six weeks at Wycombe and we think we are getting a player who is coming in hungry, determined and has a desire to score goals.

"I have known Lyle a long time, I know his character and I am extremely excited to welcome him to the club."

Montserrat international Taylor joined Wycombe in November, having not played a league game since May 2022, when he was on loan at Birmingham City.

He made three starts during his spell with the Chairboys, but only one in seven league appearances.

"The only thing you can ask for as a footballer is to be wanted and I have played my best football when I have been wanted and given the responsibility to be the man up top to carry the team forward," he said.

"Hopefully that is what will happen here and we can bring some short-term success and solidify the team's position in the league."

Cambridge are at home to League One's bottom club Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

[themaclad]

ambridge United have signed full-back James Gibbons on loan from League One rivals Bristol Rovers.

The 25-year-old, who can play on either side of defence, will be with the U's until the end of the season.

He joined Rovers from Port Vale in the summer of 2022 and has made 14 appearances this season, scoring once.

"It's been in the pipeline for a couple of weeks now so I am just glad to get it over the line," Gibbons told the club website.

He is Cambridge's second January signing, following the arrival of experienced striker Lyle Taylor, and head coach Neil Harris is hoping for more reinforcements before the deadline.

"We have wanted to do four players during the window, with one being an experienced and versatile full back option, and James certainly ticks that box," he said.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United defender Harrison Dunk is set to leave the club at the end of the season after 13 years with the side.

The 33-year-old has made 453 appearances and scored 25 goals since joining the U's from Bromley in 2011 as a forward.

Dunk helped Cambridge win promotion back to the English Football League and clinch the FA Trophy in 2013-14 and made 49 appearances during their 2020-21 League Two promotion-winning campaign.

"What an amazing 13 years it has been," he told the club's website.

"I signed as a young, naive 20-year-old and I couldn’t have dreamed that I would go on to achieve two promotions during that time for this great club.

"It’s been an honour playing for Cambridge and there are so many incredible people that I want to thank for making my time here so memorable."

Dunk is the club’s fifth all-time appearance maker behind Steve Fallon, Harvey Cornwell, Steve Spriggs and Russell Crane.

Yet he has turned out just six times this season and has not played a senior match since picking up a knee injury at the start of September.

“Club legend is often an over-used term in football, but not for H," said Cambridge majority owner Paul Barry.

"Harrison will forever be one of the true greats of Cambridge United who will be remembered not just for what he did over 13 years here, but also how he did it."

[themaclad]

Veteran duo Ryan Bennett and Lyle Taylor are among seven players released by Cambridge United, including club stalwart Harrison Dunk.

Former Norwich and Wolves defender Bennett spent 18 months with the U’s, while striker Taylor joined on a short-term deal in January.

Left-sided player Dunk, who made over 450 appearances for the club and featured in two promotion-winning sides, is departing the Abbey Stadium after 13 years.

Cambridge have also released defenders Brandon Haunstrup and James Holden and forward pair Saikou Janneh and Fejiri Okenabirhie.

The League One side, who finished 18th in the table, have placed four other players on the transfer list – midfield trio Jack Lankester, Adam May and Lewis Simper and defender Jubril Okedina.

They have offered new deals to seven players – James Brophy, Jordan Cousins, Mamadou Jobe, Elias Kachunga, Sullay Kaikai, Will Mannion and Glenn McConnell.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United's teenage midfielder Glenn McConnell has signed a new three-year contract with the League One club.

McConnell, 19, has been attached to the U's since the age of eight.

After signing his first professional contract in 2021, he had a successful loan in the sixth tier with St Albans City, scoring five times in 20 appearances as they reached the 2023 National League South play-off final.

McConnell then made a first-team breakthrough in August but has only made one start among his seven appearances.

The U's finished 18th in League One this season, confirming their survival on the last day of the season with a 0-0 draw at Port Vale.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United forward Elias Kachunga has signed a new one-year deal with the League One club .

The 32-year-old moved to the Abbey Stadium after his release by Bolton last summer and scored six goals in 39 appearances for the the U's as they finished 18th last season, four points above the relegation zone.

Cambridge boss Garry Monk praised Kachunga, who started his career in Germany at Borussia Monchengladbach and featured in the Premier League with Huddersfield, as a "key member" of his squad last term.

"“His experience and quality as a footballer and his personality are invaluable assets," Monk said.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United defender Mamadou Jobe has signed a new three-year deal with the League One club.

The 21-year-old has made nine first-team appearances for the U's since joining their youth ranks from non-league club Royston Town in 2020.

He has had numerous loan spells away from the Abbey Stadium, with his most recent stint spent with Gateshead in the National League last season.

"As a club It is really important that we retain our talented young players and continue to develop them both on and off the pitch," Cambridge boss Garry Monk told the club website.