Shayne Lavery has signed a new one-year deal to stay with Cambridge United. The Northern Ireland international striker had become a free agent at the end of last season, yet he is now tied to the club for another 12 months.
He said it "It [a return] was always a possibility - there was just a bit of waiting time, but I am buzzing to still be here and can't wait to get going," after agreeing the move. Lavery also said, "The gaffer and the staff found a good way of managing my minutes and I am looking forward to staying fit, scoring goals and helping the team."
Cambridge United keep Lavery
Lavery had spent the past two seasons at Cambridge United and helped them win promotion from League Two last season. He featured in 30 games and scored seven goals, a return that keeps him central to the club’s forward options as they move up a division.
The timing matters because his contract had run out at the end of the season, leaving a gap between promotion and the point at which his future was settled. He has now gone from free agent status back to a player under contract, and Cambridge United have kept a scorer from a promotion run that ended with a 0-0 draw at Crewe on the final day.
Shane McLoughlin stays too
Shane McLoughlin also remained with Cambridge United on a 12-month contract after his deal expired at the end of last season. He said it was "something that was left open at the end of last season as something we could revisit, and thankfully it's gone that way," which leaves the club with another retained player from the promotion group.
Gassan Ahadme has also rejoined Cambridge United on a season-long loan deal from Charlton Athletic. He said, "I have good memories of the season I had here, but I am trying to hit new levels and I am expecting a lot of myself," as Cambridge United continue to shape the squad for the coming year.
For Lavery, the immediate next step is simple: report back as a contracted Cambridge United player and build on the seven goals he delivered last season. He has already shown he can work within the minutes management the staff used, and the club has kept a forward who finished the promotion campaign still available for the season ahead.
