Released midfielder Jai Reason has signed a pre-contract agreement with Cambridge United. Reason, who spent the last few months of the season on loan at the Abbey Stadium, has agreed a deal which will keep him with the Blue Square Premier side until the summer of 2010.

Manager Gary Brabin is delighted that he will have the 19-year-old in his squad next season: "Jai got better and better during his loan spell and I think he has a bright future in the game. Me and [assistant manager] Paul Carden and [first team coach] Stuart Bimson took time out to help him and he appreciated that.

"He had a few good offers from elsewhere that he looked into and I fully respect that he had to check them out, but he was keen to stay and he was glad to sign.

"He loves it here. He enjoyed his football, the fans got behind him and he enjoyed getting his first taste of competitive football."

Reason was watched by a number of Football League sides during his spell with the U's, including League One Hartlepool.

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