[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed former Newcastle defender Kell Watts on a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old centre-back made a single Premier League appearance for the Magpies, as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 defeat by Liverpool in 2020.

He spent last season on loan in League One with Wigan Athletic, playing 19 games, including a 2-1 home win over Cambridge in September.

"It's time for me to make the next step in my career and from everything I've heard and learned about Cambridge United, I am convinced that this is the right place for me," he said.

Watts is no stranger to Cambridgeshire, having played on loan at Peterborough United during the 2022-23 season, and is the first signing by the U's in the summer transfer window.

"He is a great character, a fantastic footballer and he will add a lot of quality and competition to the team," said head coach Garry Monk.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United midfielder James Brophy has signed a new two-year deal with the League One club.

The 29-year-old has made 153 appearances across three seasons for the U's, scoring once.

Brophy played in all 46 league matches last term as Cambridge finished 18th in League One, four points clear of relegation.

"I am thrilled to be staying with the club and continuing my time here at Cambridge United," he told the club's website., external

"We have [had] some really great moments together and it has been a great fit. The gaffer [Garry Monk] has laid out where he wants this team to be, and I am excited to be a part of that."

Brophy began his professional career at Swindon Town before spending four years at Leyton Orient.

He scored 11 goals in 149 games for the O's before moving to Cambridge in 2021.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed defender James Gibbons permanently on a two-year contract.

Gibbons, 26, played for the club on loan from fellow League One side Bristol Rovers during the second half of last season.

He made 13 appearances for the U's, before being released by Rovers in May.

“I am buzzing to be back,” Gibbons told Cambridge's website., external

“I was made to feel right at home by everyone at the club, including the supporters, who were unbelievable to me."

Cambridge manager Garry Monk added: “James was a consistent performer in his time with us last season.

"He adds great experience and versatility to the team, as well as tremendous leadership skills."

Cambridge will start their new league season on the weekend of 10-11 August, with fixtures scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, 26 June.

[themaclad]

Forward Sullay Kaikai has signed a new one-year contract to stay with Cambridge United.

The 28-year-old made 43 appearances and scored four goals for Cambridge after re-signing for the club last summer for a second spell.

Manager Garry Monk said he believes there is "more to come" from Kaikai.

Monk added: "I am delighted Sullay has decided to rejoin us. He is a player who has undoubted qualities and has shown in the past he can provide match-winning moments with the attributes he has."

Cambridge have also confirmed they have exercised a one-year option on Jordan Cousins' contract after the midfielder triggered an appearance clause.

The 30-year-old, who joined from Wigan Athletic last summer, made 35 league appearances in his debut campaign.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed striker Shayne Lavery on a two-year contract following his release by League One rivals Blackpool.

The 25-year-old Northern Ireland international spent three years with the Seasiders and last season scored six goals in 36 appearances.

He is Cambridge's third signing of the summer following defenders Kell Watts and James Gibbons.

"As a striker he has clear attributes that will help to create and score goals, along with huge endeavour to work hard for the team," boss Garry Monk told the club website., external

Lavery began his career in the youth set-up at Everton, but returned home to join Linfield before moving to Blackpool in the summer of 2021.

He made his senior debut for Northern Ireland against Panama in 2018 and has won 19 caps in total, scoring three goals.

"There has been a lot of interest from Cambridge this summer so it’s fantastic to get everything sorted and get it over the line," Lavery said.

"I am excited to see what the season will bring – I have been really impressed by the manager so far, so I can’t wait to get working with him and meet the rest of the lads."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed goalkeeper Vicente Reyes on a season-long loan from Norwich City.

The 20-year-old kept five clean sheets in his 15 appearances for Forest Green Rovers while on loan at the club last season.

United States-born Reyes played for Chile Under-23s in their pre-Olympics tournament earlier this year.

“I am really excited to join the club. It’s another big step forward in my development as a player and I hope to help the team in any way that I can," Reyes told the Cambridge's website, external.

"The vision of the manager and the club is really impressive and I can’t wait to be a part of it this upcoming season."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed striker Ryan Loft from Port Vale for an undisclosed fee.

The striker joins Cambridge on a three-year deal with the club having the option of a fourth.

Loft, 26, managed only two goals in 35 games for Vale last season as they were relegated to League Two.

Previously he had permanent spells in the English Football League with Bristol Rovers and Scunthorpe United.

"Ryan is a very talented player who has all the right attributes to be a successful striker in this league," U's manager Garry Monk told the club's website, external.

[themaclad]

ambridge United have completed a season-long loan deal for QPR attacking midfielder Taylor Richards.

Richards, a former youth team player at Manchester City and Brighton, will join the U's for their upcoming pre-season trip to Portugal.

The 23-year-old originally joined Rangers on loan in 2022 before signing on a permanent basis, but has not featured in their first team since December.

"It’s a big opportunity for me to come here and play some football," Richards told the League One club's website, external. "I just want to get out there and show what I can do.

"I want to get back to enjoying my football and if I am enjoying it, then everything else will come along with that."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed former Birmingham City and Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner on a two-year deal.

The 32-year-old was a free agent following his release by Blues in May after their relegation to League One.

He made 184 appearances for Birmingham after initially joining them on loan from fierce rivals Villa in the summer of 2018.

Gardner's move to Cambridge reunites him with boss Garry Monk, who was the Blues manager that signed the midfielder six year ago.

"Working with the manager again was a big thing for me - I know what he can get out of me and I know what he can do for the team," Gardner told Cambridge United's website, external.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed former Derby County midfielder Korey Smith on a two-year contract.

He made 37 appearances for the Rams last season as they won promotion to the Championship and is Cambridge's eighth summer signing.

The 32-year-old began his career at Norwich City and has also had spells at Oldham Athletic, Bristol City and Swansea.

"Korey is another signing of real pedigree, having spent the vast majority of his career in the Championship or fighting for promotion from League One," boss Garry Monk told the U's website., external

"He will add quality, experience and a winner's mentality to the team."

Smith has joined up with the rest of the Cambridge squad on their pre-season trip to Portugal.

He is the second experienced midfield player to join the club this week following the signing of Gary Gardner, formerly with Birmingham City.

They will start the new League One campaign away to Stockport County on 10 August - the first meeting between the teams for 30 years.