Central defender becomes second Cambridge United signing ahead of the 2015/16 season.
Former Stevenage Borough and Fleetwood Town captain Mark Roberts has signed a two-year contract with Cambridge United, that will see him feature at the Abbey Stadium until the end of 2016/17 season.
Roberts joins the U’s from Sky Bet League One side Fleetwood having spent two seasons at the Highbury Stadium, skippering the side on numerous occasions during his 60 appearances for the Lancashire-based club.
The 31-year old made his professional debut back in 2003 for Championship outfit Crewe Alexandra, before loan spells at Chester City, Halifax Town and Northwich Victoria followed, with the latter becoming a permanent deal in 2007.
Roberts switched to League Two side Accrington Stanley on loan for the 2007/08 campaign, before finally settling in Hertfordshire and Stevenage Borough, where he went on to make a total of 169 appearances until to moving to Fleetwood in 2013.
Having accumulated six Championship, 119 League One and 115 League Two appearances in his extensive career to date, the centre back arrives at the Abbey Stadium with a wealth of experience.
Alongside former Gillingham man Leon Legge, who became the U’s first signing ahead of the 2015/16 season last week, Roberts is set to take his place in a new-look defensive line for Cambridge United next season.
Like Legge, Roberts adds first-hand experience of promotion from Sky Bet League Two to the U’s ambitious plans, securing play-off final victories into League One on two occasions with Stevenage and Fleetwood.
Speaking to Cambridge-United.co.uk about his new deal, a pleased Roberts said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Cambridge, it’s a fantastic football club and the people involved with the club that I have met so far have got a clear vision of where they want to go. I’m really happy to be a part of that.
“The club has a good history but more than anything it wants to create history moving forwards and I can’t wait to get going.
“I was very excited when I spoke to the manager [Richard Money] and Jez George [Chief Executive], because they sold the club to me in a way that made the opportunity here very attractive.
“When I spoke with the gaffer, it became quite clear to me we were both on the same wavelength. I am a big believer of working with like-minded people because they tend to bring the best out of you, so I’m really looking forward to working with him."
He added: “The club has got a fantastic set of fans and I’ve had some great battles when I’ve been here in the past.
“Now I’m on the Cambridge side of it, I want to make sure I give 100% and we can achieve as much as we can as a team.”