U’S CAPTURE WILLIAMSON SIGNING FROM GILLS
Cambridge United have completed the signing of striker Ben Williamson for an undisclosed fee from League One side Gillingham FC, until the summer of 2017.
Williamson has signed an 18-month contract with the U’s, having already excited the Amber Army with a string of impressive performances during a loan spell at the Abbey Stadium this season.
Beginning his journey as a youngster with Millwall and within the Glenn Hoddle Academy, Williamson crafted his ability as a pacey striker at non-league Worthing before making his first professional appearances at Bournemouth in 2011.
A four year stint with Port Vale followed and saw the marksman play over 140 times including 68 League Two and 79 League One appearances, before moving to the Priestfield Stadium to join Gillingham in the summer.
The striker made his U’s debut in November against Accrington Stanley, the first of eight appearances under Shaun Derry, during a loan in which Williamson also found the net three times against Morecambe, Notts County and Plymouth.
Pleased to be arriving at the Abbey Stadium, Williamson said: “I’m obviously delighted to make the stay permanent and when I came here on loan I really enjoyed my time.
“I managed to play a lot of games, score some goals and now I’m happy that that we’ve managed to get the deal over the line.
“As soon as I arrived through the door everyone at the club gave me a huge welcome including the manager who has had a big impact.”
Delighted to have captured the 27-year old’s services on a permanent basis from the Gills, Cambridge United Boss Shaun Derry commented: “It’s fantastic news that we have been able to bring Ben back to the club.
“He’s the type of performer that has helped to improve us as a squad and we were very keen to get him back when the loan came to an end earlier this month. We have gone about our business in the right way, showing a great amount of respect not only to his parent club but the player as well, and Gillingham have been excellent in allowing the deal to take place.
“Ben is delighted to be back here and we are too because going forward he is exactly the type of player that we want to represent Cambridge United.
He continued: “In terms of the attributes that he brings to the team, he adds a bit of everything. As everyone will have seen Ben certainly possesses a great deal of pace and he has the ability to change the whole complexity of a football game.
“His ability is unquestioned and he has proved that at League One level, but it’s his character that attracts us to Ben most.”
A full exclusive interview with Ben Williamson is available now on CU Player.