Former Linfield striker returns to League One club - less than two months after release announced
Northern Ireland international Shayne Lavery has returned to Cambridge United – less than two months after the club had announced his release.
Lavery scored 12 goals across 45 league matches during his two seasons with Cambridge after joining from Blackpool in 2024 and helped them seal promotion to League One, but was one of eight players confirmed to be leaving upon expiry of their contracts.
The 27-year-old has spent the past five years in the Football League after earning a return across the water following sensational form at Linfield.
He netted 47 times in 77 appearances for the Blues, winning two Premiership titles and an Irish Cup alongside celebrating personal success, claiming NIFWA Player of the Year and Ulster Footballer of the Year honours in 2021.
Lavery’s summer availability likely put Irish League clubs on alert as they explored the potential of bringing him back to the Premiership, but he’s now extended his stay in England with Cambridge by penning a one-year contract.
“It [a return] was always a possibility,” said Lavery on the club’s website. “There was just a bit of waiting time, but I am buzzing to still be here and can’t wait to get going.
“The gaffer and the staff found a good way of managing my minutes and I am looking forward to staying fit, scoring goals and helping the team.”
Lavery has earned 20 international caps for Northern Ireland – he was handed a debut by Michael O’Neill in May 2018 and his last appearance was in a Nations League defeat to Bulgaria in 2024.
Remaining in League One will keep Lavery’s international aspirations alive with O’Neill seemingly not considering players below England’s third tier.
Lavery missed the final three matches of Cambridge’s season with a hamstring issue and was limited to just 15 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign as injuries limited his involvement.
With boss Neil Harris feeling Lavery’s injury problems can be managed, the Cambridge chief is excited to have the forward back at his disposal.
"I am very, very pleased that Shayne has extended his stay at the football club for another season,” said Harris. “Natural goalscorers are very hard to find in the modern game, and Shayne fits that criteria perfectly.
"Both he and the medical staff are always learning more about his body, and our focus remains on keeping him as fit and as fresh as possible for extended periods, just as we managed to do during the second half of last season.
"Shayne possesses that rare ability to change the course of a match in a single moment inside the penalty area. That clinical edge is going to be absolutely vital for us as we look to pick up valuable points in League One this season."