Cambridge United re-sign Luke Berry on a four-year deal
Cambridge United are pleased to announce the return of midfielder Luke Berry to the Abbey Stadium, who joins the U’s for an undisclosed fee from Barnsley FC.
The box-to-box midfielder will re-join the U’s ahead of the 2015/16 Football League season on a four-year contract, having departed the club for Oakwell at the beginning of the last year’s campaign.
The 22-year started a total of 30 games for the Tykes last season, including 31 appearances in Sky Bet League One helping to guide them to an 11th place finish, and therefore arrives back at the Abbey Stadium having added experience to his already impressive armoury of talents.
Born in Cambridge, Berry is a product of the club’s youth development programme and amassed 128 appearances across five seasons for United after his first start against Rushden and Diamonds in February 2011.
The former United trainee earned himself international recognition for the England ‘C’ team in 2012/13, following his efforts with the U’s when he finished the season as the club’s top goal-scorer.
His 14 goals in 47 appearances during the 2013/14 season proved vital in ending United’s nine year spell away from the Football League, with Luke’s final game for the U’s coming at Wembley Stadium in the Play-Off Final triumph against Gateshead FC.
Berry is sure to bring additional energy to Richard Money’s side on and off the field next season, with the United chief hoping the youngster can form a deadly partnership with fellow signing Keith Keane, who arrived at the club last month, and the talented Gearoid Morrissey.
Money said: “When we were aware Luke may be available, we had to try to make the deal happen.
“Jez (George, Chief Executive), with the support of the board, has worked extremely hard to get him back here.”
“Luke’s playing ability will obviously enhance our chances of success, but more than that his effect on the group and the support base will be enormous.
“I cannot express enough how important his signing is to us and it continues to show our determination and intent to seriously challenge this season.”
Meanwhile, upon a return to his home city, a happy Berry commented: “I’m really pleased to be back and since the opportunity came up I have been really excited.
“I only heard about three weeks ago that the chance to come back was a possibility and since then it has been a really quick process. It did take some thinking, but at the end of the day I wanted to come back here and show everyone what I am really about.
“I have seen the other signings being announced and certainly feel there is something good happening here. The club I think will really push on this season and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”
He continued: “I have learnt a lot during my time away at Barnsley, especially the tactical side of the game, such as what to do during certain times of the match. Hopefully I can show a bit of that this season.
“I still have fond memories of Wembley in my last game and thinking about it now still makes me smile, but I’m coming here to potentially make a few more memories.
“The start of the season and the chance to run out in front of the Cambridge United supporters can’t come soon enough for me.”
The Amber Army will get their first chance to see Berry in action again at the Abbey Stadium, in the U's pre-season clash with Norwich City on Friday 17th July.
Tickets are now on general sale here, for all three of the U's fixtures against the Canaries, Ipswich Town on 21st July and Coventry City on 28th July.
Supporters who purchase a 2015/16 season ticket before the encounter against the Sky Blues, are entitled to attend the fixture totally free of charge!
Meanwhile the club's 2015/16 home shirt is still available to pre-order at the following link.
Anyone who purchases a shirt by pre-ordering will be able to meet Luke and the other new signing in an exclusive collection event on Monday 13th July, at the Abbey Stadium club shop.