Cambridge United are pleased to confirm that former Norwich City and Republic of Ireland playmaker Wes Hoolahan has put pen to paper at the Abbey Stadium for the 2020/21 season.
Having trained with Cambridge United throughout pre-season last year and featured in a number of the Club’s pre-season friendlies before a move to Australian A League side Newcastle Jets, the 38-year old midfielder has decided to make the move permanent with the U’s for the forthcoming season.
On deciding to commit to the Club, Hoolahan commented: “It’s a great move to a really good Club and I’m delighted to sign for Cambridge United.
“I was obviously on trial here for four weeks last year and I enjoyed my time. I knew what the training ground was like, what the boys are all about and that all factored into my decision to sign.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and hopefully I can reward the likes of Ben Strang and Mark Bonner who have kept this option open for me, during the forthcoming season. I’ve met with Mark last week and he’s said some great things, he’s passionate about the game and going forward it’s clear he wants the Club to succeed. I’ll enjoy working with him.
“I’m looking forward to the number of games you have to play in League Two, there’s a good amount of Saturday/Tuesday turnarounds, it will be a challenge but I really want to play as many games as I can. I want to play my role in pushing Cambridge United up the League.”
The Irishman certainly adds pedigree to the U’s first team squad, with a glittering career to date which has seen Hoolahan perform at the very highest level over a decade.
Beginning his career in Ireland with Belvedere and Shelbourne and after a brief spell in the SPL with Livingstone, Hoolahan made his English football league bow with Blackpool where he featured over 90 times before completing a career defining move to Norwich City in June 2008.
During his ten year period at Carrow Road, Hoolahan played 352 times and scored 54 goals for the Canaries through a highly successful spell at the Club in which he enjoyed a key role in three promotions – two to the Premier League.
Internationally, he has represented the Republic of Ireland on 43 occasions scoring three goals, including the country’s opening goal of Euro 2016 against Sweden. Hoolahan spent the 2018/19 season at the Hawthorns with Championship side West Bromwich Albion before a year down under last season. He now teams up with the U’s once more to become a key asset for Mark Bonner.
The United Head Coach is sure Hoolahan will be a valuable addition for Cambridge United on and off the field. He said: “We are delighted that Wes has joined us and the quality and experience he will bring us makes him a really strong addition to the team.
“He showed us last summer the benefit to our environment he will add by setting standards with his work ethic and professionalism.
“I know he will be another excellent character around the club and in the dressing room, but he is full of energy to play, to make us better and to contribute to a winning team.”
