MEDY Elito has agreed terms on a two-year deal with Cambridge United after turning down the chance to stay at Newport County AFC.

The African midfielder, 25, was one of four players – Mark Byrne, Danny Holmes and John-Christophe Ayina the others – to have contract offers withdrawn by the Exiles.

They were all offered new terms in May and given a month to inform the club of their decision, as stipulated by the FA.

However, when none of them responded within the allotted period the offers were withdrawn.

Elito, who joined Newport from Dutch football last summer, will play under former Crystal Palace enforcer Shaun Derry at the U’s.

United finished ninth in League Two last season, seven points off the play-offs.

“Cambridge United is a good team so I'm very pleased to be signing,” said Elito.

“After I spoke to the manager and to Jez George (chief executive), they told me about where they wanted to take the club and it feels like the right place to move forward.

“I also like that it's a family club. It's a great opportunity to push myself on as a player, and for the team I'll be looking to play my part to continue moving upwards.

“It will be great to play for a manager who has been and done many things in the game himself, and we have spoken about how he can help me develop.

“I'm sure he'll get the best out of me.

“I played at Cambridge United for the first time last year, it was the opening game of the season and there were a lot of fans there supporting, and now I'm looking forward to experiencing that.

“The club gets around 6,000 fans a week at home, and that creates a good atmosphere to play in.

“I've been working hard at my fitness so that I come in for pre-season in the best possible shape.

“I'm ready to work and want to show everyone what I'm capable of doing.”