Cambridge United midfielder Ben Farrell has revealed he only agreed a move to local rivals Histon after being told he was surplus to requirements.

Farrell was poised to join Histon on a six-month loan move last week, but the deal fell through.

"At the start of the season they made an offer which Cambridge accepted, but I promptly turned it down," Farrell told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

"By the time I did agree [to a move] it felt like I had no other option."

Farrell was signed from Bedford Town in January by former boss Jimmy Quinn and was expected to play a key role for the U's this season.

However under new boss Gary Brabin the 22-year-old midfielder has fallen out of favour and revealed he turned down a permanent move to Histon back in July.

The Stutes then returned with a loan offer which was also accepted by the U's, but Farrell was still not interested.

"I was advised to go on loan for a few months to get experience, but again I turned it down," he said.

When Farrell did not take part in either of the U's opening matches of the season, Histon were again on the phone.

"We signed another midfielder in Jon Challinor and two games into the season I was on the bench twice and I thought there was no way in for me," he said.

"The next day the manager called me and said about the Histon thing again and to be honest I thought there was no other option."

606: DEBATE Should the U's have let Farrell go?

However just as it seemed that Farrell would finally make the switch to Histon manager Gary Brabin pulled the plug on the move.

"I spoke to the manager to say goodbye and he said he wanted to keep me," he said.

Last week Brabin claimed to have never been willing to allow Farrell to open talks with Histon.

"I never sanctioned Ben Farrell going to Histon at all, I don't want him to go, I want him to stay," he said.

Brabin's first-choice pairing in central midfield has been Paul Carden and Jon Challinor, but Farrell admits he is pleased to have been given a vote of confidence by his boss.

"It's good of him to come out and say I'm part of his plans, he showed a lot of support to me," he said.

"Since I've been at Cambridge I've only started two home games [but] my aim is to get a run in the team."