[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed former Manchester City forward Ben Knight on a one-year deal.

The 22-year-old was a free agent after leaving Spanish third division side Real Murcia in February.

Knight, whose solitary first-team appearance for Manchester City came in their 2021 Charity Shield defeat by Leicester, featured just four times off the bench for Real Murcia in his six months there.

The former Ipswich Town youth player, who also had a loan spell in League One with Crewe Alexandra in 2021, moved back to England late last season and spent time on trial at Cambridge before signing.

"Although it's been a difficult period recently for me, I can't say enough about how well the club have looked after me and I am determined to repay them now with my performances on the pitch," Knight told the U's website., external

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Cambridge United winger Sullay Kaikai and defender Liam Bennett have signed new two-year deals with the League Two club.

Kaikai scored four goals in 29 appearances last season as the U's were relegated from the third tier, finishing 23rd and nine points from safety.

Bennett is the club's longest-serving player, having been signed as a teenager from non-league AFC Sudbury. He played 48 games in 2024-25.

"When he is fit and firing, he will be an absolute handful for defenders in League Two," boss Neil Harris said of Kaikai.

"His output in his numbers and performances whilst I have been head coach have been very impressive. He offers variety to us on either wing, but I also believe he can play higher up the pitch as a striker."

Bennett told the U's website that the team need to get back to winning games next season.

"The club means a lot to me and I want to be part of its next successful chapter," he said.

"Under the leadership of Neil and Bonz [director of football Mark Bonner], I believe that this season can be an exciting one and a positive step towards getting this club back to where it belongs."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed Welsh goalkeeper Ben Hughes on a two-year contract.

The 21-year-old joins the League Two U's after leaving Swansea City earlier this year, where he had played for the club's under-18 and under-21 sides.

Hughes has yet to make a senior appearance in the EFL and says his move to Cambridge is "a big moment in my career" and "the right step".

"I just want to develop as much as I can, get that first-team exposure and help the group however I can," he added., external

The transfer is subject to international clearance and Cambridge have not revealed the length of his contract.

Hughes is U's the club's second permanent signing of the summer window after former Manchester City forward Ben Knight agreed a one-year deal.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed defender Ben Purrington and midfielder Dominic Ball.

Ball, 29, joins the League Two side on a two-year deal after failing to agree new terms with Leyton Orient after a solitary season at Brisbane Road.

It will be the former Ipswich Town midfielder's second spell with the U's, having had a loan stint with them when he was a Tottenham player in 2015.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Purrington moves to the Abbey Stadium on a one-year contract after being released by Exeter City.

Purrington, who started his career with Plymouth Argyle before going on to sign for Rotherham United and Charlton Athletic, moved back to English football with Exeter after a spell in the Scottish Premiership with Ross County.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed Lincoln City defender Zak Bradshaw on a two-year contract.

Bradshaw was still under contract to the Imps despite not having played for them, but the clubs have agreed on a free transfer deal.

The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Tranmere Rovers, making 27 League Two appearances for the club, 11 of them starts.

"I am ready to knuckle down and kick-start my career properly. I have had a lot of loans and racked up a lot of games, so now I want to be able to call a place home," Bradshaw said., external

Cambridge will start the new season with a home game against Cheltenham Town on 2 August.

They have now made five summer signings since being relegated from League One.

Boss Neil Harris said of Bradshaw: "He is a young player with a lot of potential, but already has experience of playing football in League Two.

"He adds real competition for places across the defensive unit and we look forward to working with Zak to enable him to grow into a player that has a long-term future at the club."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed former Luton Town midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu on a two-year deal.

Mpanzu, 31, joins the U's following an 11-year spell at Kenilworth Road in which he played 412 times for the Hatters, including 27 games in the Premier League.

He was part of the Luton side who were promoted to the English top flight in 2023 and became the first player to go from non-league to the Premier League with the same club.

"Pelly is a tremendous signing for our football club and he brings a wealth of experience," Cambridge boss Neil Harris told the club website., external

"He is a serial promotion winner from his early days of starting in non-league football, all the way through to winning promotion to the Premier League."

DR Congo international Mpanzu played 10 games in the Championship for Luton last season before being loaned out to League One club Rotherham United for the second half of the campaign, making 18 appearances for the Millers.

"I am ready to get going, - it's new to me, a different feeling, different people, different views and a different opportunity," Mpanzu told the club website., external

"I am glad I am at Cambridge and I can't wait to play my football here."

Cambridge, relegated from the third tier last season, begin their League Two campaign at home to Cheltenham Town on Saturday, 2 August (15:00 BST).

[themaclad]

Cambridge have signed midfielder Shane McLoughlin on a one-year contract following his departure from Newport at the end of last season.

The 28-year-old, who can also operate in defence, played 36 games in League Two last season but turned down the offer of a new deal at Rodney Parade.

A former Republic of Ireland youth international, McLoughlin began his career at Ipswich before moving on to AFC Wimbledon, Morecambe and Salford City.

He had been on trial with the U's during pre-season and becomes their eighth new arrival this summer.

"I have been in the last week and got an idea of what the club is about, what the manager wants this season and what the lads are striving for," said McLoughlin.

"It's a big club for this division and I am raring to get back into it now. I can't wait for Saturday and the season ahead."

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed former Newport midfielder Shane McLoughlin and Stevenage striker Louis Appere.

McLoughlin, 28, who can also operate in defence, played 36 games in League Two last season but turned down the offer of a new deal at Rodney Parade.

A former Republic of Ireland youth international, McLoughlin began his career at Ipswich before moving on to AFC Wimbledon, Morecambe and Salford City.

He had been on trial with the U's during pre-season and becomes their eighth new arrival this summer.

Appere, 26, has signed a two-year deal and joins for an undisclosed fee.

The Scot scored once in 20 appearances for Stevenage last season.

[themaclad]

Cambridge United have signed Blackpool striker Kylian Kouassi on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old made his senior debut with Sutton United in the 2022-23 season before joining Blackpool the following summer.

Kouassi made 19 League One appearances for the Tangerines before joining Salford City on loan last season where he scored three goals in 31 matches.

"The project and where this club wants to go was attractive to me," Kouassi told the club website, external.

"The manager has told me to come in, enjoy myself and score goals and I thought this would be the right fit for me."

He becomes the 10th signing of the summer for Cambridge, who sit 15th in League Two with four points from three games.

"He is a real handful for defenders, and we believe he will add a different dimension and strength to our attacking options this season," said U's boss Neil Harris.

"I look forward to working with him and helping him fulfil his potential, which will in turn help the team."