Colchester United manager Danny Cowley has confirmed that midfielder Cameron McGeehan will be leaving the club after turning down a new contract offer.
The midfielder signed for the League Two side in September, but after an impressive season with the U’s is now looking to sign for another club ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Who is Cameron McGeehan?
The 29 year old started his youth career in West London with Fulham and Chelsea before joining Norwich City. It was with the East Anglian side where McGeehan captained the youth team to FA Youth Cup victory in 2012-13 against his former club, Chelsea, and scored goals in both legs of the final.
Despite his success with the youth team, the midfielder never made an appearance for the first team and had loan spells at Luton Town and Cambridge United before joining the former on a permanent deal in 2015.
McGeehan impressed with the Hatters and scored a total of 25 goals in 80 appearances which earned him a move to Championship side Barnsley. After relegation with the Tykes, he was a member of the side that was promoted back to the second tier at the first time of asking, making 39 appearances and scoring six goals.
After loan spells with Scunthorpe United and Portsmouth, McGeehan took a leap into the unknown and signed for Belgian First Division A side KV Oostende. During his time on the continent, the midfielder made 56 appearances and secured a first international cap for Northern Ireland in a 2024 European Championship qualifier against San Marino.
How did McGeehan’s spell at Colchester United go?
Joining in September 2023, McGeehan had a positive impact on the Essex side who only survived relegation into non-league on the final day of the season.
Playing predominantly in central midfield within a 4-2-3-1 formation, McGeehan provided versatility having occasionally played further forward in the ‘number 10’ role. He was the club’s second top scorer with a total of nine goals from an expected goals (xG) total of 11.89 proving his capability to get into good positions to score.
His manager Danny Cowley emphasised the importance and achievements of McGeehan during his time in Essex:
“He did really well for the club, last year even in the difficult position it found itself in. He scored double figures from midfield in a team that struggled which I think is to be commended”.
McGeehan’s impact wasn’t solely through the goals he scored for the side but also his creativity and defending impact for the U’s. Going forward, the midfielder created an average of 1.39 chances and 2.38 shots per 90 minutes.
His balance between attacking and defending is shown in his rate of 52.5% of aerial duels won at an average of 2.10 per 90 minutes. The only negative that may put other EFL sides off recruiting the midfielder is his disciplinary record. The 29 year old committed an average of 1.11 fouls per 90 minutes and picked up a total of ten yellow and two red cards across the season.
A move to Sussex for McGeehan? – Opinion
Given the successful impact that McGeehan had on a struggling Colchester United side, it is likely that there will be a few clubs looking at signing the 29 year old on a free transfer.
One such club could be Crawley Town. It has been a summer of change once again in Sussex for Scott Lindsey’s side and McGeehan could be one who comes in the door at Crawley. A move to the Red Devils would be a return to League One for McGeehan who will back himself to make an impact in the third tier.
Given the departures of Liam Kelly and Klaidi Lolos to Milton Keynes Dons and Bolton Wanderers respectively, Crawley are likely to be in the market for a midfielder who can play in both the central midfield role and the ‘number 10’ role. Whether McGeehan wants to jump from one club battling relegation to another one that is expected to do the same thing, albeit at a higher level, is a consideration to take into account.