Cambridge United signs Ben Stevenson adding 'great strength and versatility to the squad'

Ben Stevenson has signed for Cambridge United
-Credit:Cambridge United


Cambridge United signing Ben Stevenson admits he’s “really excited” to get going with his new side upon penning a deal with the U’s until the end of the season. The central midfielder is United’s third signing of the week, following the arrivals of Esapa Osong and Dom Ballard on loan from Nottingham Forest and Southampton respectively.

The 27-year-old has joined the U’s from Championship outfit Portsmouth, while the midfielder also lists Coventry City, Wolves, Colchester United and Forest Green Rovers among his former clubs.

“I am really excited,” Stevenson said.

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“I have been training really hard and keeping ready for an opportunity like this. I was definitely keen to get it done and did as much as I could from my end to make it happen.”

Garry Monk added: “Ben is a player that we have looked to bring in previously and I am delighted that we have been able to make it happen. He ticks all the boxes for what we are looking for in a midfielder and will add great strength and versatility to the squad.”

However, the U’s have suffered a setback with another of their January recruits, with Marko Marosi set for an extended spell on the sidelines. The goalkeeper had to be substituted in the first half of Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Mansfield Town after sustaining a hamstring injury, in what was just his second appearance for the club.

Discussing Marosi’s setback at a press conference on Thursday, Monk said: “It’s a freak situation where he’s gathered the ball and gone to his knees, put his weight through his leg and it’s affected his hamstring, which is like a once in a million sort of thing that would happen.

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“We’re talking March/April time at the soonest for Marko, which is a massive blow for us and for him. Again, we’ve faced quite a few of these situations, so we’re quite well versed in it, but we’ve just got to get on with what we’ve got.”

On the possibility of signing another goalkeeper to replace Marosi, Monk added: “It’s not the biggest priority, but if there’s a keeper that we think’s right, then of course we’d bring that in.

“We weren’t expecting to have to do anything, so the other priorities took precedent, in terms of strikers and midfielders. That hasn’t changed because of what happened with Marko.

“That’ll be something afterwards, if we’re able to do it and the club can afford to do it, and all those things that go into that. Of course that’d be an area (they’d like to strengthen), like there would be other areas outside of that as well.”