Gary Brabin further strengthened his Cambridge United squad by signing former Chester City striker Chris Holroyd on Tuesday night .

Fresh from seeing his team end their 49-year hoodoo against Kidderminster Harriers, Brabin concluded talks with the 21-year-old and the Nantwich-born striker signed a contract to June 2009 with the option of a further year.

Holroyd was released from Chester by mutual consent two weeks ago after interest from United and Stockport became public knowledge and he turned down a trial at Bournemouth, and Brabin believes his persistence persuaded the pacy striker to choose Cambridge.

"He's a player that a lot of clubs have shown an interest in and I think he's been in a dilemma over the last few weeks. Things have dragged on for him and I think the fact that we showed so much interest in him has appealed to him," said the U's boss.

"He's been to our last couple of games and I think he's been really impressed with the way we do things and those things have convinced him to come.

"Six months ago a lot of first and second division clubs were showing a lot of interest in him and when we first asked about him he didn't know much about Cambridge United, but I think he's been really impressed and he's heard good things about me and Paul, and in the end he couldn't wait to sign."

Brabin also revealed that the volume of support from United's fans in tonight's exciting win made an impression on former Crewe trainee Holroyd.

"He missed the start of the game but when he got here and he heard the crowd it took his breath away a little bit and he looks really excited - I don't think he can wait to get started," he added.

Explaining why he has pursued Holroyd all summer, the U's boss told cambridgeunited.com, "He's a pacy, exciting forward and he gives us something different to what we've got already.

"I want us to be exciting to watch and we've got some good forwards at the club who will be battling for places, and although he can play on the right we want him as a striker first and foremost."

United's newest signing began his playing career as a schoolboy in Crewe Alexandra's highly-rated youth academy, but he turned professional with Chester City in 2006 after scoring 21 goals in 28 starts for their youth team.

He made his first team debut the following season (06-07) and made a total of 22 league appearances, which were mostly brief sub appearances although he started seven games. Last season he made a further 24 league appearances, scoring four times.

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