Cambridge United sign midfielder Ben Stevenson following Portsmouth contract termination

Cambridge United have signed central midfielder Ben Stevenson on a deal until the end of the season after the 27-year-old’s contract at Portsmouth was mutually terminated.

The player who came through the youth ranks at Coventry City, making 48 first-team appearances and lifting the EFL Trophy in 2017, had only made two appearances for Pompey this season - both coming in the opening week of the Championship season. A six-minute league cameo at home to Luton Town came after playing the full Carabao Cup tie defeat at home to Millwall.

And the Leicester-born player, who becomes the U’s fourth January transfer window signing, jumped at the chance to get game time at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

“I am really excited,” said the player who won promotion to League Two with Forest Green Rovers in 2021/22.

.“I have been training really hard and keeping ready for an opportunity like this.

“I was definitely keen to get it done and did as much as I could from my end to make it happen.”

U’s boss Garry Monk, who had alluded to Stevenson’s arrival in his pre-match press conference this afternoon ahead of Wycombe Wanderers’ visit on Saturday, said: “Ben is a player that we have looked to bring in previously and I am delighted that we have been able to make it happen.

“He ticks all the boxes for what we are looking for in a midfielder and will add great strength and versatility to the squad.”

After signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers from Coventry in 2018 - where he spent much of his time out on loan - Stevenson joined Colchester United in 2019, establishing himself in the EFL as he made 97 appearances across two seasons.

He was an ever-present for Forest Green Rovers as they won promotion to League Two in 2021/22, and two years later he signed for Portsmouth.

It has been revealed Stevenson will wear the number 28 shirt whilst with the U’s.