BECK SLAMS PREMIERSHIP TRANSFER POLICY

The 20-year-old was informed at the end of the season that he had no future at West Ham, but he did not let the setback affect him and took a trial with John Beck`s side.

The defender, who had a loan spell with Bournemouth last season, impressed and was offered a two-year deal.

Beck appeared pleased with his capture, saying: "He's got good pace, he's tall, and he's a good athlete.

"He reads the game well and I see it as an opportunity for us to develop him. I'm really looking for him to go straight into the side and use us as a stepping-stone to go back into the Premier League."

Beck questioned the transfer policy used by Premiership teams, telling the Cambridge official website: "I think young lads like that, when they're first given a free transfer, are disenchanted and wonder why they weren't given a chance, and it's very difficult for these quality youngsters.

"They have probably always been the best player at their school, got in the county side, moved on to England trials, get themselves a scholarship at a Premier League side then one or two years as a pro. But after a few reserve games they're free-transferred and they think they really haven't been given a chance, and they wonder why.

"The truth of the matter is the Premier League clubs can't afford to take a chance on these youngsters who have the promise to be good but are not definitely good, so they go and buy a £5-million left back instead.

"We've got to be very astute and prudent and see enough games so that when these lads become available we can recognise that they can do us a very good job, and if they've got the right type of character they can use our club as a stepping-stone for proving people wrong."

Angus`s capture has prompted Beck to end his interest in Barry Town full back Garry Lloyd.

The player refused to travel for a trial, and Beck appeared disappointed with his attitude, saying: "We were a little bit disappointed with him. He's a 25-year-old playing in the League of Wales, which is not the best league in the world.

"We offered him the opportunity to come from Barry Town to Cambridge for a three or four-week run out with us, and an opportunity to go into the Second Division, and his attitude was 'why should I come on trial? Come and see me and buy me if you want me'.

"We thought that maybe we'd look elsewhere, which we have, and Garry Lloyd has lost out."

Beck also confirmed that Brazilian Emerson Vieira, Jamie Squires and Jamie Stuart are currently training with the club.