Cambridge United are pleased to announce striker Andrew Dallas has signed at the Abbey Stadium on a two year deal from Rangers for an undisclosed fee.
The 20-year old joins the U’s permanently until the end of the 2020/21 season having been on trial over the last two weeks, and adds competition to Head Coach Colin Calderwood’s centre forward options alongside Jabo Ibehre and Harvey Knibbs.
A product of Rangers’ Academy where he signed his first professional contract back in 2016 after developing through the Gers’ youth system, Dallas arrives at the Club hungry to make his mark at a senior level.
He made his professional debut on loan at Stenhousemuir last year where he scored three goals in six appearances, before adding a further 12 senior appearances at the back end of the 2018/19 campaign at Greenock Morton.
Looking forward to his next challenge at the Abbey, Dallas commented: “I’m delighted to get the deal over the line. I met up with the boys in Scotland and then played against Leicester City and really enjoyed it and it gave me such a good feeling about the place.
“I’ve been able to learn pretty quickly what the rest of the group are like on and off the pitch and I get on well with them all and feel part of the group already.
“To have scored in the game against Hearts was a positive, and as a striker that is what I feel I am here to do as well as contribute towards the team’s link up play.
“Colin (Calderwood) seems like a good modern day manager, and I’m hopeful he can develop me as a player and a person as well. It will be a good life experience for me too, moving away from home. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
During the pre-season tour of Scotland, Dallas scored both against United for Rangers Development side and for the U’s four days later in the fixture with Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle Park.
The youngster also led the U’s line last week against Leicester City at the Abbey and has impressed Colin Calderwood and his coaching staff throughout his time on trial with the U’s.
Calderwood commented: “He’s a striker with a good record as a goalscorer and we are confident that can be transferrable into League Two.
“We really like what we saw from Andrew in Scotland both against us and for us in training and the game versus Hearts. I’m certain we’ll see a player grow in maturity and have a real presence.
“This is a super opportunity for both the Football Club and Andrew himself. We have a strong group of talented young players in the squad already and Andrew certainly adds to that category. Added with Harvey Knibbs, we have a good amount of legs in the team and we’ll see growth emerge as the season progresses.”
Head of Football Ben Strang concluded: “Andrew is a player with a positive reputation in Scotland. He has been at a top club and scored goals against some big European clubs in youth football. We are convinced he can transition his goal scoring instinct and traits in to the Football League and be a success here.
“A real benefit of having Andrew with us for a short period was the opportunity to spend time with him, find out more on his character and understand his motivations. We are confident we have signed a young forward with significant potential.”
The season gets underway this Saturday at Bradford City, and the U’s kick off at the Abbey on 10th August. Click here to buy now or call 01223 566 500 today.