Sutton United striker Maxime Biamou has left the club to sign for League Two side Coventry City.

The 26-year-old Frenchman, who scored 14 goals in 51 appearances for the U’s, has penned a two year deal with the Sky Blues for an undisclosed fee.

Biamou was one of the stars of last season’s Sutton side that finished 12th in the Vanarama National League and reached the FA Cup fifth round before losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal.

He made a name for himself by scoring the crucial late second goal in United’s stunning 3-1 third round victory at League One neighbours AFC Wimbledon.

Biamou is the fourth member of the Sutton squad to leave following Roarie Deacon’s move to Dundee, Ben Jefford’s release and last week’s departure of midfielder Bedsente Gomis to Barrow.

However, United manager Paul Doswell had already bolstered his squad earlier in the summer by signing Kenny Davis from Borehamwood and Moses Emmanuel, Aswad Thomas and Ross Lafayette all from Dover Athletic.

Biamou, who will be expected to play a part in his new side’s promotion push next season, will make a swift return to Gander Green Lane when the Sky Blues are the visitors for a pre-season friendly on July 8.

In the 28 years since Sutton famously knocked then top flight Coventry out of the FA Cup at the third round stage the clubs have had differing fortunes since.

United have battled back to the fifth tier of English football under boss Paul Doswell and made global headlines with their Cup exploits while City have suffered a series of relegations which will see them play in the fourth tier for the first time in 58 years, although they did win the Checkatrade Trophy in April with a 2-1 win over Oxford United in front of 75,000 at Wembley.

It’s a sign of City’s plight that the Coventry Telegraph ran a live news stream throughout Tuesday updating fans on their signing from Sutton.

With the U’s due to report for pre-season training this week, Doswell put a typically positive spin on Biamou’s move despite the obvious disappointment of losing another key member of his squad.

He said: “I think our clear philosophy of improving players and allowing them to pursue league careers or financial betterment has once again worked with Max getting a fantastic move.

“His year with Sutton has seen him grow into the English league, and during the last three months he became a much improved all round player, in particular with his performances against league opposition in the FA Cup.”

Sutton United v Coventry City, the Knight’s Community Stadium, Gander Green Lane, SM1 2EY, Saturday, July 8, 3pm. For more details and ticket prices visit suttonunited.net