Sam Smith returns to Cambridge United as Mark Bonner finds his Paul Mullin replacement

Former Cambridge United loanee Sam Smith has returned to The Abbey on a two-year deal.

The 23-year-old made 34 appearances for the club in 2019/20 on loan from Championship side Reading. Despite scoring eight goals, the U’s couldn’t keep Smith at The Abbey and he returned to his parent club the following season.

The striker spent the first half of last campaign on loan at Tranmere Rovers, before joining Cheltenham for the latter half of the season as they secured the Sky Bet League Two title, where he scored four goals in 21 appearances.

Speaking about the move, Smith said:

“It’s good to be back. I really enjoyed it last time I was here and that did play a bit factor.

“When you are happy somewhere you play your best football and even when I was with other teams, I have always looked at Cambridge scores as it is a place that means a lot to me. As a player you want to be settled and I am really excited to call this my home now.”

U’s Head Coach Mark Bonner added:

“We are really pleased to add Sam to our squad, a player we know well from his previous loan spell with us. The security of having somewhere to call home and be a permanent part of what we are building is important for players, and we are hopeful this can be a springboard for Sam to show his qualities.

“His work ethic and movement are important attributes, and we know he is a good finisher with potential to score goals. He joins a together group of people with a clear identity and vision of what we want to be, and returns wiser and more mature to enable him to fit straight in and get to work.

“Sam joins a group of strikers who all have different skill-sets and with the ability to play in a front two, as a lone striker or even in a wider position gives us the flexibility we need. I look forward to seeing the competition this creates as we will no doubt use everyone throughout a challenging season. Sam’s challenge is to integrate seamlessly into our culture, work his socks off and make a positive contribution to the team. I am really looking forward to getting the best out of him.”

Smith will wear the number 10 shirt for Cambridge United.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt