Wes Hoolahan is not signing for Cambridge United the club have announced.
Colin Calderwood confirmed the thirty-seven-year-old midfielder is set to pursue an opportunity overseas in an announcement on the club’s official website.
The former Republic of Ireland international had been training with the club for the majority of the summer and played in their last pre-season friendly match against Ipswich Town.
Cambridge were hopeful of signing the Norwich City ‘legend’, but they have had their hopes dashed with the player informing the club yesterday, just five days before the EFL season kicks off, Β he would be taking up another offer.
Calderwood explained he held no animosity towards the veteran schemer and the money assigned to Hoolahan could now be used to bolster his squad further. He also claimed his decision not to sign had not affected any other potential deals.
The Cambridge boss tried to remain philosophical in the face of a massive blow to his plans when speaking to Cambridge Live. ‘He never signed, he never crossed the iβs and dotted the tβs. I have no complaints, I really enjoyed having him around the environment, and heβs definitely helped everyone,’ he said.
Many U’s fans were not so charitable when they took to social media to react to the news with some accusing Hoolahan of using them for training and match fitness until he found something better. Others felt the whole heavily hyped charade made the club look foolish, while some expressed relief at not jumping the gun and buying a replica shirt with Hoolahan’s name on the back.
The general feeling of the fans was one of anger and disgruntlement, as this small selection of responses to the news on Twitter illustrates.
Iβm speechless!
— Scott James (@scott_james92) July 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/mattnashx/status/1156158501993033728?s=20
So he used us for match fitness then took another offer, yet all us fans were told it was just a matter of time! So 3 days before kick off and our midfield needs sorting again as well as needing another striker, smh
— nathan stokes (@nathanstokes08) July 30, 2019
This was not a surprise he used us for fitness and games if he was that interested he would have signed while back , so back to square one
— ππ‘π΄ππ―π‘ (@lockwood_wayne) July 30, 2019
How many shirts do you think were brought with his name on the back ππ
— ππΌββοΈ (@Mr_k_hills) July 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheCUFCBlog/status/1156160880016580614?s=20
Absolutely gutted, typical CUFC really
— Charlie Froment (@Charliefroment) July 30, 2019
What a pointless pre-season that was having him involved in then. Even more reason to not be excited for the new season.
— Cookies (@BrettCSadler) July 30, 2019
Makes all the hyped up tweets about him pinging the ball across the pitch in his chevrons look a bit stupid now, eh? Hope thatβs a lesson learned for the media team…
— Nick Morgan (@nicoking101) July 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheCUFCBlog/status/1156158497513451521?s=20
Disappointing to happen so close to the season start and think the club has been used a bit here. Hopefully Maris will sign
— parsley (@parsley99815009) July 30, 2019
