# 2023–24 Cambridge United F.C. season

The 2023–24 season is the 112th season in the history of Cambridge United and their third consecutive season in League One. The club are participating in League One, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the 2023–24 EFL Trophy.

## Current squad

    As of 26 March 2024
| No. | Name | Position | Place of birth | Date of birth (Age) | Previous club | Date signed | Fee | Contract end |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||
| 1 | Jack Stevens | GK | Ealing | (1997-08-02) 2 August 1997 (age 27) | Oxford United | 1 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 13 | James Holden | GK | Milton Keynes | (2001-09-04) 4 September 2001 (age 23) | Reading | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 25 | Will Mannion | GK | Hillingdon | (1998-05-05) 5 May 1998 (age 26) | Pafos | 3 August 2021 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 31 | Louis Chadwick | GK | | (2003-03-23) 23 March 2003 (age 21) | St Neots Town | 1 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 43 | JJ Briggs | GK | | | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| Defenders ||||||||||
| 2 | Liam Bennett | RB | | (2001-11-30) 30 November 2001 (age 22) | St Neots Town | 1 July 2021 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 3 | Danny Andrew | LB | Holbeach | (1990-12-23) 23 December 1990 (age 33) | Fleetwood Town | 1 July 2023 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 |
| 5 | Michael Morrison | CB | Bury St Edmunds | (1988-03-03) 3 March 1988 (age 36) | Portsmouth | 26 January 2023 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 6 | Ryan Bennett | CB | Orsett | (1990-03-06) 6 March 1990 (age 34) | Swansea City | 6 January 2023 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 11 | Harrison Dunk | LB | Hammersmith | (1990-10-25) 25 October 1990 (age 33) | Bromley | 1 July 2011 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 15 | Jubril Okedina | CB | Woolwich | (2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 23) | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 August 2021 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2025 |
| 16 | Zeno Ibsen Rossi | CB | Streatham | (2000-10-28) 28 October 2000 (age 23) | Bournemouth | 18 July 2022 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2025 |
| 20 | Brandon Haunstrup | LB | Waterlooville | (1996-10-26) 26 October 1996 (age 27) | Kilmarnock | 6 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 26 | James Gibbons | RB | Trentham | (1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 (age 26) | Bristol Rovers | 30 January 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 28 | Mamadou Jobe | CB | Harlow | (2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 (age 21) | Academy | 1 July 2021 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 32 | Harvey Beckett | CB | | (2003-09-30) 30 September 2003 (age 21) | Academy | 1 July 2021 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 42 | Ty Ewens-Findlay | CB | | | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| 44 | Patrick Staszewski | CB | | | Academy | 6 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||
| 4 | Paul Digby | DM | Sheffield | (1995-02-02) 2 February 1995 (age 29) | Stevenage | 21 July 2020 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 7 | James Brophy | LM | Brent | (1994-07-25) 25 July 1994 (age 30) | Leyton Orient | 1 July 2021 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 8 | George Thomas | AM | Leicester | (1997-03-24) 24 March 1997 (age 27) | Queens Park Rangers | 31 January 2023 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 19 | Adam May | CM | Southampton | (1997-12-06) 6 December 1997 (age 26) | Portsmouth | 4 September 2020 | Free | 30 June 2025 |
| 22 | Lewis Simper | CM | Cambridge | (2001-09-03) 3 September 2001 (age 23) | Academy | 3 January 2020 | Trainee | 30 June 2025 |
| 24 | Jordan Cousins | CM | Greenwich | (1994-03-06) 6 March 1994 (age 30) | Wigan Athletic | 13 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 39 | George Scales | CM | | (2006-08-04) 4 August 2006 (age 18) | Academy | 6 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 40 | Ronan Ismaili | CM | | | Academy | 6 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 41 | Amaru Kaunda | CM | | | Academy | 6 November 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| Forwards ||||||||||
| 9 | Fejiri Okenabirhie | CF | Hendon | (1996-02-25) 25 February 1996 (age 28) | Doncaster Rovers | 29 July 2022 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 10 | Jack Lankester | RW | Bury St Edmunds | (2000-01-19) 19 January 2000 (age 24) | Ipswich Town | 1 July 2021 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2025 |
| 14 | Sullay Kaikai | LW | Southwark | (1995-08-26) 26 August 1995 (age 29) | Milton Keynes Dons | 24 July 2023 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 17 | Saikou Janneh | CF | Gunjur | (2000-01-11) 11 January 2000 (age 24) | Bristol City | 1 July 2022 | Undisclosed | 30 June 2024 |
| 18 | Lyle Taylor | CF | Greenwich | (1990-03-29) 29 March 1990 (age 34) | Wycombe Wanderers | 12 January 2024 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 21 | Elias Kachunga | CF | Haan | (1992-04-22) 22 April 1992 (age 32) | Bolton Wanderers | 1 August 2023 | Free | 30 June 2024 |
| 23 | Gassan Ahadme | CF | Vic | (2000-11-17) 17 November 2000 (age 23) | Ipswich Town | 1 July 2023 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 27 | Macauley Bonne | CF | Ipswich | (1995-10-26) 26 October 1995 (age 28) | Gillingham | 1 February 2024 | Loan | 31 May 2024 |
| 29 | Kai Yearn | AM | Cambridge | (2005-05-21) 21 May 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 30 | Glenn McConnell | FW | | (2005-04-26) 26 April 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 33 | Saleem Akanbi | FW | | (2004-04-29) 29 April 2004 (age 20) | Academy | 1 July 2022 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |
| 34 | Brandon Njoku | CF | Wembley | (2005-01-29) 29 January 2005 (age 19) | Academy | 1 July 2023 | Trainee | 30 June 2024 |

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred from | Fee |
| 1 July 2023 | LB | Danny Andrew | Fleetwood Town | Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2023 | GK | Jack Stevens | Oxford United | Free Transfer |
| 13 July 2023 | CM | Jordan Cousins | Wigan Athletic | Free Transfer |
| 24 July 2023 | LW | Sullay Kaikai | Milton Keynes Dons | Free Transfer |
| 1 August 2023 | CF | Elias Kachunga | Bolton Wanderers | Free Transfer |
| 12 January 2024 | CF | Lyle Taylor | Wycombe Wanderers | Free Transfer |

### Out

| Date | Pos | Player | Transferred to | Fee |
| 30 June 2023 | CF | Joe Ironside | Doncaster Rovers | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Lloyd Jones | Charlton Athletic | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | CF | Harvey Knibbs | Reading | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | GK | Dimitar Mitov | St Johnstone | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | DM | Liam O'Neil | Boreham Wood | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | CF | Sam Smith | Reading | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | CB | Greg Taylor | Woking | End of Contract |
| 30 June 2023 | RW | Shilow Tracey | Crewe Alexandra | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | RB | George Williams | Mansfield Town | Released |
| 30 June 2023 | CM | Ben Worman | Cork City | Released |

### Loaned in

| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned from | On loan until |
| 1 July 2023 | CF | Gassan Ahadme | Ipswich Town | End of season |
| 1 September 2023 | CF | John-Kymani Gordon | Crystal Palace | 17 January 2024 |
| 30 January 2024 | RB | James Gibbons | Bristol Rovers | End of season |
| 1 February 2024 | CF | Macauley Bonne | Gillingham | End of season |
* ↑ On 17 January, Gordon returned back to Crystal Palace from his season-long loan early.

### Loaned out

| Date | Pos | Player | Loaned to | Until |
| 5 August 2023 | CM | George Hoddle | St Albans City | End of Season |
| 9 September 2023 | AM | Kai Yearn | King's Lynn Town | 7 October 2023 |
| 21 October 2023 | GK | James Holden | Welling United | 18 November 2023 |
| 16 November 2023 | CB | Mamadou Jobe | Gateshead | 27 March 2024 |
| 29 March 2024 | CF | Brandon Njoku | Peterborough Sports | End of Season |
* ↑ On 9 January, Jobe's loan at Gateshead was extended by a further month.
* ↑ On 17 February, Jobe's loan at Gateshead was extended again, until the end of season.
* ↑ On 27 March, Jobe was then recalled from his loan at Gateshead.

## Pre-season and friendlies

On 5 June, Cambridge United announced their first two pre-season friendlies, against Ipswich Town and Barnet. A third friendly, against St Albans City was also confirmed. Three behind-closed-doors fixtures were also included in the pre-season preparations, against Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s, Gillingham and Cardiff City.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

## Competitions
### Overall record

| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record |
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| League One | 5 August 2023 | 27 April 2024 | Matchday 1 | 18th | 46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 39 | 61 | −22 | 026.09 |
| FA Cup | 4 November 2023 | 6 January 2024 | First round | Third round | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 066.67 |
| EFL Cup | 8 August 2023 | 8 August 2023 | First round | First round | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 000.00 |
| EFL Trophy | 12 September 2023 | 7 November 2023 | Group stage | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | +0 | 033.33 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 53 | 15 | 13 | 25 | 54 | 74 | −20 | 028.30 |
Last updated: 27 April 2024 Source: Soccerway

### League One
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 15 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 52 | 68 | −16 | 57 | |
| 16 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 11 | 20 | 15 | 64 | 65 | −1 | 53 | |
| 17 | Reading | 46 | 16 | 11 | 19 | 68 | 70 | −2 | 53 | |
| 18 | Cambridge United | 46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 39 | 61 | −22 | 48 | |
| 19 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 35 | 67 | −32 | 48 | |
| 20 | Burton Albion | 46 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 39 | 67 | −28 | 46 | |
| 21 | Cheltenham Town (R) | 46 | 12 | 8 | 26 | 41 | 65 | −24 | 44 | Relegated to EFL League Two |
* ↑ On 16 August 2023, Reading were deducted one point for failing to pay players on time and in full on three occasions in the 2022–23 season. Another 3-point deduction was applied on 13 September, for failing to deposit wages on time. Another 2-point deduction was applied on 27 February, due to late HMRC payments.

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 27 April 2024. Source: Soccerway

#### Results by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 7$^1$ | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 18$^2$ | 35 | 25$^3$ | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 27$^4$ | 45 | 40$^5$ | 46 |
| Ground | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A |
| Result | W | W | L | W | L | W | L | D | D | L | L | D | L | D | W | D | L | L | L | D | W | W | L | L | W | D | D | W | L | L | W | L | L | L | L | D | L | L | W | W | L | D | L | L | D | D |
| Position | 5 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
* $^1$ Matchday 7 (vs Wycombe Wanderers) was postponed due to the international call-ups.
* $^2$ Matchday 18 (vs Bolton Wanderers) was postponed due to the international call-ups.
* $^3$ Matchday 25 (vs Stevenage) was postponed due to a local power network failure.
* $^4$ Matchday 27 (vs Bristol Rovers) was postponed due to FA Cup involvements.
* $^5$ Matchday 40 (vs Wycombe Wanderers) was postponed due to the international call-ups.

#### Matches

On 22 June, the EFL League One fixtures were released.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

### FA Cup

Cambridge were drawn at home to Bracknell Town in the first round, to Fleetwood Town in the second round and away to Blackburn Rovers in the third round.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

### EFL Cup

Cambridge were drawn away to Sutton United in the first round.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures

### EFL Trophy

In the group stage, Cambridge were drawn into Southern Group D alongside Peterborough United, Colchester United and Tottenham Hotspur U21.
| Pos | Div | Teamvte | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | L1 | Peterborough United | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Colchester United | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 6 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 3 | ACA | Tottenham Hotspur U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | L1 | Cambridge United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | |
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixtures