Daryl McMahon has signed for Cambridge United.

The 25-year-old midfielder joins on a free transfer from Stevenage Borough and has signed a contract to the end of the season with the option of a longer deal if he impresses.

Transfer-listed in November as manager Graham Westley continued his restructuring of the Stevenage squad, former Republic of Ireland youth international McMahon came through the youth ranks at West Ham and made 75 Football League appearances for Leyton Orient and over 60 in the Conference for Stevenage.

"He will bring us something different that we need in midfield," said U's manager Gary Brabin. "We're a bit light on numbers in that area and after losing Mark Convery for three months we're missing a ball-playing, footballing midfielder.

"Daryl is a good player that Paul (Carden) and I talked about earlier in the season, and he's got a hunger in him too. He should be and wants to be playing at a higher level again and coming here is a good opportunity for him."

Having passed a medical, McMahon trained with his new team-mates for the first time this morning and Brabin added, "He has a point to prove and his ability is certainly not in question. He's a fantastic footballer and he's the type of player we're looking for.

"He's signed until the end of the season and if he gets his head down, works hard and shows what a good player he is then we'll be looking to extend his deal."

McMahon turned professional with West Ham in 2002 but was unable to break into the first team. He made one brief sub appearance for Torquay United during a loan spell in early 2004, then joined Port Vale on a free transfer in August that year after being released by the Hammers.

After one start and a handful of sub appearances, he returned to London four months later when he signed for Orient on a free transfer, and he spent just over two years in East London, scoring five times in 42 league starts and 23 sub appearances.

Former U's boss Steve Thompson took him to Notts County on loan in November 2006, where he made seven appearances, and in late January 2007 he made a permanent switch to Stevenage.

A regular under Mark Stimson and Peter Taylor with 74 first team appearances and ten goals in all competitions, McMahon became a fans' favourite but he has struggled to hold down a place under new boss Westley and was transfer-listed in November.

Daryl has been allocated squad number 4.  He is not registered in time to play in Wednesday's FA Trophy match at home to Crawley Town but will be eligible for any subsequent rounds. McMahon was an unused substitute alongside U's keeper Danny Potter at Wembley when Stevenage won this competition in 2007.

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