FOOTBALL | Former Bay United star Osadebe signs for Cambridge United

Twenty-year-old signs a two-year deal with League Two club

Former Bay United star Emmanuel ‘Frank’ Osadebe has signed a two-year contract with English League Two side Cambridge United.

Osadebe, who played for Dundalk Schoolboys League at the 2011 Milk Cup in Coleraine, was a member of Dundalk FC’s U19 team before he made the move to Tottenham Hotspur’s Foundation College Programme in 2014.

He joined Gillingham a year later and spent two seasons at the Priestfield Stadium under former manager Justin Edinburgh, playing 52 games for the Gills.

He found himself to restricted to just three games last season, though, and was released by current boss Ady Pennock at the end of the English season in May.

However, Cambridge United boss, Sean Derry, a friend of Edinburgh, has taken a punt on the 20-year-old and said he was delighted to have landed the midfielder.

“Emmanuel is a player that we have had on our radar for a long time now.

“His journey into professional football has taken a slightly different course which gives him a rawness to his game that we believe we can mould.

“He’s physically combative with the ability to play in various roles and that gives us a fantastic number of choices for our midfield next season.”

Speaking about the move, Osadebe said he was keen to make an impression on his new manager.

“I’m very happy to be given the opportunity by Cambridge United so I’m very pleased to be here.

“From speaking to Shaun Derry, he spoke very well of the players already here and I was really interested in becoming a part of that group.

“I love to play as a box-to-box midfielder and I feel I can add energy in midfield.

“The experience of playing in League One for Gillingham has been invaluable and I feel ready to take on what this division has to offer. There are clear aims for next season and I want to play a role in the push forward.”