Stevenage Borough have signed defender Mark Albrighton from Blue Square Premier rivals Cambridge United for a nominal fee.
The 32-year-old joined the U's last summer on a one-year deal that was extended until 2010 in January.
U's director George Rolls told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "We were inundated with defenders.
"It's no secret we want to strengthen our squad in other areas and this frees some cash up to do so."
Albrighton played 40 league matches for Cambridge last season, helping them reach the Blue Square Premier play-off final.
"The manager's gone on record saying he's going to use a few younger players this year and we've got Josh Coulson, Michael Morrison, Jordan Collins, Wayne Hatswell and Gavin Hoyte who can all play at the back."
However, Rolls insisted manager Jimmy Quinn wanted to go with youth next season. And he insisted that some new players would be arriving at the Abbey Stadium soon.
"We sat down with Jimmy after Wembley and went through the players he wanted to get rid of and the ones he wanted to keep but obviously there are plenty of players he wants to sign as well.
"We couldn't keep hold of everyone as we had a squad of 28 which is one of the biggest in the Conference so we've let a few go but there will be new signings coming.
"We had a very, very good squad this year but next year we'll be even stronger, with the signings the manager wants to make strengthening us in all departments."
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