Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris opens up on ‘huge misfortune’ in transfer market during search for new goalkeeper

Cambridge United head coach Neil Harris has revealed the ‘huge misfortune’ that the club has suffered in its pursuit of a new number one goalkeeper.

With Jack Stevens, Marko Marosi and Nathan Bishop all leaving the U’s at the end of last season, Harris and his coaching staff are in the market for a senior goalie this summer.

However, Harris has seen deals for a number of ‘keepers fall through at the 11th hour over the last couple of weeks, although he did add that he was hopeful that the spot will be filled soon.

He said: “Bringing in a number one goalkeeper is pivotal for us at the moment.

“We’ve had some huge misfortune over the last couple of weeks in that position. We’ve had three or four lined up to come in the following day and they’ve fallen through for different reasons – and valid reasons, it’s understandable.

“We’ve got to the stage now where I’m laughing about it because it’s become comical. We’ve had some unbelievable goalkeepers coming in the building and they’ve fallen through.

“One goalkeeper got injured on the first day of pre-season training, one was coming in and then somebody else got injured in the squad so he had to stay and one we thought was done was then offered more money (from another club). It’s things like that and that gives transparency to the situation.

“I’m ok with all of it because that’s football. I’ve been in it long enough now to know how it works and you take the rough with the smooth. The good thing is that when players are going on to League One or Championship clubs, it shows we’re looking at the right players.

“We’re still working on that (the goalkeeper situation) and we’re close to another option at the moment, which would be nice.”

Ben Hughes – the young Wales youth international that joined the club earlier this summer – kept goal during the first half of this afternoon’s 3-1 friendly win over Cambridge City.

Harris added: “Ben has come in as a young project for us. He’s a really good character and Martyn Davies (goalkeeping coach) has worked with him before and speaks highly of him.

“He’s come in to develop with us and learn the ropes of professional football over the course of the season.”