Cambridge United complete season-long loan signing of Blackpool striker Kylian Kouassi

Head coach Neil Harris is confident that he has added an ‘absolute handful’ to his Cambridge United attack with the season-long loan signing of Kylian Kouassi.

The forward, who has become the club’s 10th new recruit of the summer, has arrived from League One outfit Blackpool.

Prior to joining the Tangerines, the 22-year-old came through the ranks at Sutton United, during which time he had non-league loan stints with the likes of Bedfont Sports, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Chesham United.

He went on the spend last term on loan in League Two with Salford City, for whom he scored three goals in 27 appearances.

Harris said of his latest addition: “I’ve been aware of him for a long time from his London roots with him having come through at Sutton and I’ve followed him and his attributes.

“I’ve spoke a lot with Steve Bruce (Blackpool manager) over the last six to 12 months on him as well, so I’m pretty aware of his capabilities and his ability. He has attributes that we feel will come and add to our attacking unit we’ve already got in the building.

“We’re obviously missing Shayne (Lavery, injured) at the moment. We feel a little bit naked without Shayne being available, we’re one player short (in attack).

“We’re delighted to get him in the building. He’s an absolute handful and I’d say he’s a Cambridge United centre-forward in the sense of centre-forwards that have represented this football club over a period of time.

“He’s also got some attributes that I think are very modern day. For a semi-big man he’s very athletic as well, as well as being very good on the first ball up.

“We feel combination-wise he’s going to be a really strong partner for the ability of someone like Shayne Lavery and Louis Appere, that like to stretch the game. But he’s also someone that can probably play with someone like Elias Kachunga and Ryan Loft as well. He certainly comes into the thinking as an all-round centre-forward for us.”

Kouassi, who will the number 20 shirt, added: “I am excited to be here. The project and where this club wants to go was attractive to me.

“The manager has told me to come in, enjoy myself and score goals and I thought this would be the right fit for me. I can’t wait to get going and show the fans what I’m about.”