[themaclad]

Cambridge United defender Liam Bennett has signed a new two-year contract with an option for a further 12 months.

The 20-year-old made 10 appearances in 2021-22, making his English Football League debut in a 2-0 home win over Plymouth Argyle in February.

He joined the U's from non-league football in 2020 and was elevated to the first-team squad last year.

"He is tenacious and has a focus that all the young players can learn from," said head coach Mark Bonner.

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Midfielder Liam O'Neil has become the latest Cambridge United player to agree a new contract with the club.

The 28-year-old has made 146 appearances since arriving from Chesterfield in 2017 and will now stay until at least the end of next season.

Liam Bennett, Adam May, Will Mannion, Harrison Dunk and Greg Taylor have also agreed new deals with the U's.

"I am certain we are a stronger squad with Liam as a part of it," said head coach Mark Bonner.

"His influence on the team, professionalism and character help create the environment that we want."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed goalkeeper James Holden from Reading on a two-year deal.

Holden, 20, joined the Royals' academy in 2019 but did not go on to make a first-team appearance for the Championship club.

He spent two periods on loan at National League side Maidenhead United in 2021 and 2022, making 14 appearances in total.

"It was quite an easy decision for me," Holden said.

"I just want to push them [the other goalkeepers] as much as possible, get them to push me, develop as much as I can and see what opportunities come about."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed forward Saikou Janneh from Bristol City on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old played six first-team games for City, with both his goals for the club coming against Forest Green in an EFL Cup first-round tie last term.

Janneh spent much of his time in recent years out on loan, with spells at Newport, Torquay and in League One with Shrewsbury last season.

"I feel like I am wanted," said Janneh on his move to Cambridge.

"This is the best opportunity for me and I am happy to make a fresh start. I am ready and can't wait."

Cambridge boss Mark Bonner said Janneh "has lots of potential" that the U's want to develop and "are looking forward to maximise".

"Saikou has shown flashes of quality in recent seasons that have made us aware of him for some time," Bonner told the club website.

Janneh was under contract at Ashton Gate but is it not known whether Cambridge have paid a fee for the forward.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed full-back Brandon Haunstrup on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old, who has agreed a two-year deal, spent the last two seasons at Kilmarnock, having previously played for Portsmouth.

"Being back playing in the EFL is something I've really wanted to do since leaving Portsmouth," he told the Cambridge website.

"After the conversations I've had with the boss and the way he wants to play, I'm just really excited to get going."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed Bournemouth defender Zeno Ibsen Rossi for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with the League One club and is their fourth summer signing.

Rossi made seven appearances for the Cherries last season in league and cup, plus four during a loan spell with Scottish Premiership club Dundee.

"I can't wait to show what I am about and learn and develop with the other players and coaching staff," he said.

"I have heard brilliant things about the club, about the people and about the city. I am really excited to embed myself into that."

Former Brentford and Southampton youth player Rossi previously spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Scottish top-flight club Kilmarnock where he played 20 games and scored one goal.

"Zeno is comfortable in possession, has a good range of passing and has many physical qualities to become a strong defender with us," boss Mark Bonner told the U's website.

"He will be determined to play and find a way into the team - as will the other central defenders - and that competition will serve us well throughout the season."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United defender Jubril Okedina has signed a new three-year contract with the club.

The 21-year-old first joined the U's on loan from Tottenham Hotspur before agreeing a permanent move last summer.

He made 41 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign, including their 1-0 FA Cup third-round win at Premier League club Newcastle United.

"The past 18 months have shown us his huge potential," head coach Mark Bonner told the club website.

"His task is to find the consistency required to go along with his undoubted athleticism and technical qualities to secure a regular place in the team and keep contributing to us in a positive manner."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed forward Fejiri Okenabirhie on a one-year deal.

The 26-year-old former Arsenal youth team player joins as a free agent, having been released by Doncaster Rovers earlier in the summer.

Okenabirhie failed to make an appearance for Rovers last season after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

"Recovering from such a long time out can take time, and we are aware that Fejiri won't be game ready for a little while," said U's boss Mark Bonner.

"Our aim and Fejiri's aim is to return to the levels he hit the season before last, and with that collective desire, we are hopeful he can follow a similar path as many of our players and experience some highlights with us."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United midfielder Jack Lankester has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal with the club.

The 22-year-old has made 56 appearances for the U's since arriving from League One rivals Ipswich in the June 2021.

Cambridge boss Mark Bonner said Lankester has the "robustness and quality to add real value" to his side.

"We have seen glimpses of this throughout the season and as he wrestles for a regular starting place in the team," he said.

"He is a good character and is still of an age whereby he has a lot of untapped potential. I look forward to him fulfilling that with us."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed experienced former Swansea and Wolves defender Ryan Bennett on a contract until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old joins as a free agent having been released by the Swans in September.

He has spent much of his career playing in the Premier League and Championship with former clubs Wolves and Norwich.

The U's have also agreed a loan deal for Oxford United full-back Steve Seddon until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old began his career at Reading before moving to Birmingham City in January 2014.

While at St Andrew's, he made his senior debut in 2018 during a loan spell at Stevenage in League One before playing his first match for Blues in the Championship just under a year later.

After a loan at Portsmouth, in between two temporary spells with AFC Wimbledon, Seddon joined Oxford in July 2021.

Bennett said he was "grateful for the opportunity" to resume his career with the U's.

"It's down to me to work hard and to get into the team. Hopefully we can push on this second half of the season and see where it takes us," Bennett told the club website.

Bennett's move to the Abbey Stadium sees him drop back to play League One football, a division he last played in more than a decade ago with Peterborough.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have re-signed centre-back Michael Morrison on a free transfer from Portsmouth.

The 34-year-old began his career at the Abbey Stadium, making more than 100 appearances before moving to Leicester City in 2008.

He has agreed an 18-month deal, having also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, Birmingham and Reading.

"I always wanted to come back home someday so it's an opportunity I couldn't turn down," Morrison said.

"I know we are in a fight but I look forward to helping the team have a good second half of the season by picking up results and rising up the table."

Cambridge are 22nd in League One, with only seven wins from 26 games, and are away to Lincoln City on Saturday.

"I believe his experience, personality and leadership will help create a spark in ourselves as we look to turn around the situation we find ourselves in," said head coach Mark Bonner.

"In the final week of the window, Michael's addition will give everyone a lift. He is coming to help us, make us better and contribute to wins."