Phil Bolland has signed a contract to the end of the season.

The influential Merseyside-based defender, whose wife is expecting their second child in a few weeks, has been on non-contract terms all season in an agreement that suited both him and the club.

However, in view of interest from other clubs and the impending deadline for player registrations, the club has protected its interests by offering him a deal to the end of the season, which he signed today.

Club Secretary Wayne Purser commented, "We appreciate Phil's understanding of the situation and he was only too happy to sign to the end of the season."

Manager Gary Brabin believes it is a boost to his squad that the defender has committed to the club for the rest of the campaign, telling cambridgeunited.com: "Phil had no intentions of moving away from the north until me and Paul (Carden) got the job here, when we found a basis that suited both parties and it's worked out well all round.

"But we've reached a stage of the season now when we need him tied up so we know he's here until the end of the season and we can concentrate on the matches, and I'm delighted that he's signed up."

Bolland has been a key player at the heart of the United defence and Brabin added, "He's been a massive, integral part of everything we've done this season, and him and Wayne Hatswell have been fantastic at the back."

[Phil Bolland in focus]

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