FORMER ST PATRICK’S Athletic defender Jake Carroll has completed a move to Cambridge United from League Two rivals Hartlepool United.
The 25-year-old moves to the Abbey Stadium on a two-and-a-half year deal after the two clubs agreed undisclosed terms for the Dubliner.
Carroll, who began his career at Richmond Park before making the move to England in 2013, will link up with Cambridge as they push for promotion to League One under manager Shaun Derry.
The U’s are currently ninth in the table, just one point off the play-off berths.
“I’m really pleased to be here because it’s a club clearly going in the right direction and with real ambition,” Carroll said.
“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.”
After catching the eye with his performances for St Pat’s, Carroll — an Ireland underage international — earned a move to Huddersfield Town in July 2013 for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €150,000.
He made four appearances in his debut season for the Yorkshire club but struggled to work his way into the reckoning thereafter and was sent out on loan to Bury and then Partick Thistle during the 2014/15 campaign.
After gaining further experience, Carroll joined Hartlepool ahead of last season and soon established himself as a regular with the League Two outfit, making 70 appearances during an 18-month stint in the North East.
His contract at Victoria Park expired at the end of this season.
“We’re delighted to welcome Jake into our squad, as he is a player we have been tracking since the previous transfer window,” Cambridge manager Derry said.
“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.”
Carroll could make his Cambridge debut during Saturday’s league clash with Blackpool.
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