Former Birmingham City player departs EFL team following zero game involvement, pocketing substantial six-figure payout.
Casual Chat: Gary Gardner, the midfielder who kicked off his football journey at Aston Villa, has departed Cambridge United following mutual consent. The bloke spent last summer inking a two-year deal after being let go by Birmingham City, yet the 2024/25 season saw him sit on the bench the entire time. An achy Achilles and a pesky toe injury kept him off the field for Cambridge United, a League One team.
Mark Bonner, the dude in charge of the Football Operations, spoke up about the decision. In his statement, Bonner claimed they'd initially hoped for better outcomes with Gardner. Despite the bumps in the road, the man demonstrated good sportsmanship and deserves appreciation for his endeavors.
Bonner continued, revealing they'd decided to part ways following some heart-to-hearts. He felt this was the best move for all parties involved. The man wished Gardner the best in his future adventures.
That's some decent bucks Gardner was taking home with a weekly wage of £2,200 equating to a hefty £114,400 yearly salary at Cambridge. Gardner showcased some serious talent during his eight-year stint at Aston Villa, featuring in 46 games and occasional loans to Coventry City and Nottingham Forest.
Gardner shifted bases to Birmingham City for the 2018/19 Championship season. He made the arrangement permanent the following summer. Our man enjoyed a successful run with the Blues, featuring in 184 games and being honored as the Players' Player of the Season in 2021/22.
The 32-year-old saw action for Rooney when the English and Manchester United legend took charge at the Blues. Rooney made his debut as the manager with a 1-0 Championship loss against Middlesbrough, and Gardner got a start in that game.
Gardner swapped his spot at Birmingham for a reunion with Garry Monk at Cambridge last summersolstice. Monk was sent off in February as the U's sat dead last in the League One table. Neil Harris stepped back into the club, but the reunion didn't steer Cambridge away from relegation to League Two next season. They ended up a dismal nine points off safety in 23rd place. Harris confirmed the club's retainer list on Thursday, with Gardner getting the ax.
Stay updated on your favorite EFL teams and their tumultuous journeys:
- Man United battles European giants for Jobe Bellingham in the summer transfer.
- Championship team must break the worst curse in English football to reach the Premier League.
- Sheffield United and Bristol City kick off the Championship playoffs.
- Preserving an EFL play-off clash amid clashes with a Premier League fixture.
Gardner's manager, Mark Bonner, gave a statement about the midfielder's departure, expressing hopes for better outcomes initially but acknowledging the setbacks due to injuries. Bonner expressed appreciation for Gardner's sportsmanship and the efforts he put forward.
With mutual consent, Gary Gardner, the former Aston Villa player, transferred to League Two next season, parting ways with Cambridge United. Prior to this, he had enjoyed a successful run with Birmingham City, being named Players' Player of the Season in 2021/22 and featuring in 184 games.
The Premier League has become a potential destination for midfielder Jobe Bellingham in the upcoming summer transfer. In the Championship, it's not simply a challenge to reach the league, but to break the worst curse in English football to make the ascent.
The Championship playoffs are soon underway, with Sheffield United and Bristol City ready to take the pitch. The upcoming clash adds an extra layer of complexity as it coincides with a Premier League fixture, making preservation of this play-off clash crucial.
Gardner reunited with Garry Monk at Cambridge United last summer solstice, but the reunion didn't prevent relegation to League Two due to a nine-point deficit in 23rd place. Harris confirmed the retainer list on Thursday, with Gardner among those released.
Players' wages continue to make headlines, as Gardner was taking home a weekly wage of £2,200, equating to a yearly salary of £114,400, while star talent Jobe Bellingham could potentially earn a lucrative signing fee in the European leagues.
