Cambridge United have announced that Gary Gardner has left by mutual consent after not making a single appearance for the club.
The midfielder, whose career started at Aston Villa, signed for the U’s last summer after being released by Birmingham City.
Gardner put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Cambridge, but didn’t play a single minute throughout the 2024/25 season.
An Achilles injury earlier in the campaign was followed by a reported toe issue to continue his absence from the League One side.
Director of football Mark Bonner said in a statement: “Gary joined us last summer with great potential, and it’s disappointing for all parties that things haven’t worked out as we had hoped.
“Despite the setbacks, Gary has always shown professionalism and we are grateful to him for his efforts.
“After thoughtful discussions, we’ve mutually agreed to part ways.
“It’s a situation that didn’t unfold as planned, but feel this is best way forward for all involved. We wish him the very best for the future.”
According to Salary Sport, Gardner was on a weekly wage of £2,200 and is said to have earned a £114,400 salary with Cambridge.
He made 46 first-team appearances for Villa during an eight-year spell that featured loans at Coventry City and Nottingham Forest.
Gardner joined Birmingham for their 2018/19 Championship season and made the move permanent in the following summer.
The 32-year-old featured 184 times for the Blues and was named as the Players’ Player of the Season in the 2021/22 campaign.
Gardner joined League One side Cambridge but never played for themGetty The U’s have now announced their retained list after relegationGETTYDuring his last year at St. Andrew’s, Gardner made seven appearances under England and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.
He made just one start for Rooney in their 1-0 Championship defeat to Middlesbrough, the then manager’s debut match.
Gardner’s move to Cambridge last July saw him reunite with Garry Monk, who was Birmingham boss during his loan season.
However, Monk was dismissed at the Abbey Stadium in February as the U’s sat bottom of the League One table.
Neil Harris returned to the club for a second spell but was unable to steer them away from relegation to League Two for next season.
Cambridge finished nine points off safety in 23rd and released their retained list on Thursday, with Gardner listed as a departure.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Ex-Birmingham City star leaves EFL club after zero appearances and banking six-figure sum )
Also on site :
- Paul Pierce is walking 20 miles to work after promise about Celtics’ Game 2
- ‘Crazy about it’ – Tennis world number one Jannik Sinner dreaming about radical career change
- Indian Premier League match plunged into darkness as floodlights turned off and crowd evacuated over ‘security fears’