The dream of a Luke Berry homecoming has been dashed.
Following his release by Luton Town at the end of last season, some Cambridge United supporters had hoped that the midfielder would opt to return to where it all started.
The 31-year-old rose through the ranks at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, making more than 250 appearances for the club in two separate spells prior to joining Luton in the summer of 2017.
The Hatters’ relegation from the Premier League in May marked the end of Berry’s seven-year stint at Kenilworth Road, but there will be no U’s reunion after he put pen to paper on a two-year contract with fellow Sky Bet League One side Charlton Athletic.
It is a move that sees the former Bassingbourn Village College pupil once again work alongside manager Nathan Jones, with the pair having previously struck up a relationship at Luton.
Berry said: “To get promoted is the first thing I want to achieve with the team.
“I want to contribute as many goals as I possibly can. If I can contribute 10 to 15 goals and assists as well then I’ll be delighted.”
Jones added: “Luke’s someone that I signed for Luton in 2017.
“He’s one of the best goalscoring midfielders outside of the Premier League in recent years in terms of his outputs and we’re really delighted to have him.
“He’s a player I know very well as a character, athlete and footballer. It’s a significant signing for us with the track record that he’s got of promotions.
“He’s obviously had three promotions with Luton and that’s exactly what we’ve brought him in for.
“We’ve fought off a lot of competition to get him and I’m just pleased that our club and my relationship with him has enabled us to get the signing over the line.
“I’m sure he’s going to be a significant signing for the club.”
