Cambridge United are pleased to announce the signing of vastly experienced striker Marc Richards on a short term contract until January.
The 37-year old boasts a proven goalscoring record across his 19 year career and adds further competition to Colin Calderwood's forward options following the arrival of Sam Smith and Andrew Dallas last week, alongside current U's strikers Jabo Ibehre, Harvey Knibbs.
Richards' list of former clubs include the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Barnsley, Port Vale and Chestersfield, and he has over 580 career appearances in the Football League and netted 184 career goals to date.
The striker has twice featured in promotion winning sides over two spells with Northampton Town, winning it firstly under current U's boss Colin Calderwood during his time at the Cobblers, before receiving the Club's Player of the Year award in his second spell as Chris Wilder led Northampton out of League Two. Richards has also achieved promotion with Barnsley and Chesterfield.
Most recently the striker featured for League Two rivals Swindon Town, scoring 15 goals for the Robins during an 18 month stay at the County Ground.
He now joins United on an initial six month short term contract and is pleased to be teaming up with the U's initially for the first half of the 2019/20 campaign. Richards commented: "It's been a long summer with lots of ups and downs from last season but I'm absolutely delighted to be here now.
"Working with Colin (Calderwood) before I know what he is all about, I know what his teams are like and that has played a massive factor in me deciding to join Cambridge United. He's had a lot of success at this level with multiple promotions and play-offs too, and that is something that I am looking for.
"I have a great impression of Cambridge United so far. It's a good training facility and I know a few individuals at the Club already, so the move felt like a no brainer. I can't wait to get going."
Delighted to add Richards to the U's ranks, Colin Calderwood commented: "Marc is a mature individual who shows real leadership qualities. He has an excellent record of promotions with teams across varying levels and that's a very valuable attribute to have.
"Once he has worked on his sharpness with the ball to allow him to find his rhythm again, he'll really add to the group of players we have now put together in that area of the field.
"We have now got Jabo Ibehre and Marc who bring a lot of experience and know-how at the latter stages of their careers, which ensures a good balance in the squad with the three younger strikers in Harvey Knibbs, Andrew Dallas and Sam Smith.
"We have a lot more strength in depth than we had last year and it will now be about identifying the best partnerships on the form of players as the season progresses. We have given ourselves ammunition to be dangerous, and have the depth that ensures players really challenging each other for a position in the team."
Head of Football Ben Strang concluded: "Everyone you speak to who have worked with Marc before, hold him in very high regard and reference the strong character and influence that he has in the changing room. As Colin alludes to, we recognised that we needed to recruit at the top end of the pitch following last season and are pleased that we now have five genuine attacking threats to call upon.”
The Next Chapter at the Abbey Stadium begins this Saturday against Newport County – secure your season ticket before then to ensure you gain full value across the course of the 2019/20 season by clicking here.