Palmer started his career under U's boss Martin Ling at Leyton Orient

Cambridge United have signed left-back Aiden Palmer on a free transfer until the end of the season.

The former Leyton Orient man, 23, has recently served a seven-month prison sentence for his part in a gangland brawl in North London in 2007.

U's boss Martin Ling told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "Aiden's in the last chance saloon in terms of relaunching his career.

"I know Aiden well and he's got a great opportunity here."

Palmer - who started his career under Ling at Orient - has been playing at Bishop's Stortford following his release.

Ling says Palmer could prove to be a bargain signing for the U's if he can recapture his best form.

"I feel that because of things outside of football we've got ourselves a bargain because he's played 50 League games," Ling said.

"He knows his way around the pitch, but he has to come back from the problems he's had."

Palmer arrives as a replacement for Anthony Tonkin who moved to Oxford last week.

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