Ex-Saint Jake Carroll signs for Cambridge United

Cambridge United have announced the signing of former St Patrick's Athletic defender Jake Carroll from Hartlepool United.

The versatile Dubliner, who can play in both full back positions and in midfield, has signed on a two-and-a-half year deal that will take him through to the end of the 2018/19 season.

“I’m really pleased to be here because it’s a club clearly going in the right direction and with real ambition,” Carroll told the club's official website.

“I’m relishing the chance to play my part in a team that is challenging in the top half of the division.

“I have heard nothing but good things about the club and its close-knit group of players, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ll be looking to get my head down, work hard, and earn a place in the team to show everyone around the club what I can do.”

Manager Shaun Derry added: “We’re delighted to welcome Jake into our squad, as he is a player we have been tracking since the previous transfer window.

“He’s very much a different type of fullback to the players we already have within our group and he will be able to contribute in a different way.”

25-year-old Carroll began his career at St Patrick's Athletic, where he established himself as a regular in Liam Buckley's team during the 2011 season having excelled in the under-20s.

The London-born, Dublin-raised player spent three seasons in the senior team at Richmond Park, helping the Saints to the Premier Division title in his final season in 2013.

Carroll made the switch to English Championship side Huddersfield Town midway through 2013 and had loan spells with Bury and Partick Thistle before signing for the Pools in the summer of 2015.

He will go straight into the first team squad for United's League Two fixture at home to Blackpool on Saturday.