Midfielder Carden has signed a pre-contract agreement with Wrexham and will pen a two-year deal at The Racecourse after completing his loan spell at Cambridge United and ending his stay with parent club Accrington Stanley.

Cambridge, who missed out on a return to the Football League after losing their Blue Square Premier play-off final against Exeter, had hoped to retain the services of 29-year-old Carden who has made more than 350 senior appearances.

But Carden, who captained last year's successful England Semi-Pro team and also helped Chester City return to the Football League, said joining Wrexham was the best move for his career.

"I knew there was interest from Wrexham this week and despite doing well with Cambridge, and it was unfortunate that we missed out in the final last Saturday, but once that was over I wanted to sort out my future as quickly as possible," said Carden.

"I looked at the club, brought my family down to visit the place and met with the coaching staff, after which I decided that this was where I wanted to move for the next stage in my career.

"After the disappointment of missing out with Cambridge this season, I'm now looking forward to the new season and going one step further with Wrexham and just winning it.

"When I was at Chester, and I know this won't go down too well with the fans here, but we won the Conference and this season with Cambridge going so close in the play-off final, I've got a fair bit of experience in what is required.

"But I'm sure that the gaffer will bring in the right players to make sure that Wrexham is right up there and challenging.

"Now I'm really just looking forward to getting started. I know the old season has only just finished, but you start itching to get back involved with a new challenge and I can't wait."

Carden is the first summer signing made by manager Brian Little who is rebuilding the Reds' squad after telling 22 players their futures lie elsewhere.

Full-back Carl Tremarco has accepted a contract offer while Little is waiting to see if centre-back Steve Evans and winger Matty Done follow suit.

But first team coach Martin Foyle is delighted to have Carden, who has also played for Blackpool, Rochdale, Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough United and Burton Albion, on board.

"We are very happy to get Paul on board, as he will be an important signing for us," said Foyle.

"Since I've been here, I've felt we have had a weakness in not having a ball-playing midfielder that can actually switch play.

"So I think this will give us a bit more credibility going forward at this level.

"He is of a good age that he will also be able to help our younger boys progress and, hopefully, we can do well.

"Paul has certainly had a good winning mentality this season with Cambridge and last year with Burton, so I feel that can rub off."