Wrexham announced in May that Carden would join them on 1 July

Cambridge United's new assistant manager Paul Carden has denied he had signed a pre-contract agreement with Blue Square Premier rivals Wrexham.

The Accrington midfielder was appointed as assistant to Gary Brabin on Monday, but Wrexham claimed he had signed a contract to join them next month.

The Welsh side claimed they would report the move to the authorities.

Carden told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "I couldn't have signed a pre-contract as I still had a year at Accrington."

He added: "It was all complicated, but even though those factors were there with the pre-contract I was all set to go.

"When an opportunity like this arises, you can't turn things down."

The midfielder apologised to Wrexham manager Brian Little when he decided he wanted to accept Cambridge's offer.

"He was fully understanding of where I was coming from," Carden said.

"I said I didn't want to be perceived as that type of person but this opportunity had come about and I'm really interested in it.

Carden, 29, spent much of last season on loan at the Abbey Stadium from League Two club Accrington, but left after the U's lost the play-off final.

I was interested as it [management] is something I do want to be doing after my playing days are over New Cambridge assistant boss Paul Carden

He admitted he did not expect to return to Cambridge, and said: "The club phoned me up to say they wanted to speak to me and were really keen on doing something in terms of another role.

"I was interested as it [management] is something I do want to be doing after my playing days are over."