Shaw leaves Harriers for Cambridge

Tom Shaw has become the summer's first high-profile exit at Kidderminster Harriers after turning down a new deal at Aggborough to join Cambridge.

Shaw became the first close season signing of Harriers' Blue Square Premier rivals over the weekend, signing a two-year contract with the U's.

Harriers gave the utility man the opportunity to stay but could not match the terms on offer at the Abbey Stadium, where United are splashing the cash again despite reportedly cutting down their wage bill by 25 per cent.

It was enough to persuade the 26-year-old to make the move down south after one season at Aggborough, where he made 43 appearances for the club scoring five times.

Left-back Aaron Griffiths and second-choice goalkeeper Andrew Stevens have both been released but Shaw is the first player to go that manager Steve Burr wanted to keep, with the Harriers boss admitting he was powerless to prevent the move.

He said: "Tom had an excellent offer from Cambridge that he couldn't turn down and it wasn't one we could really come close to.

"That's a little bit strange for a club with their reported financial problems, but that's completely up to them and is their business.

"We thank Tom for his efforts whilst he was here and wish him well for the future."

Harriers trio Matthew Blair, Jack Byrne and Lee Vaughan are away on international duty with the England C team this week, after being included in the 16-man squad to face Portugal on Thursday.

They join their club manager Burr, who is assistant to national boss Paul Fairclough.

The national side have the chance of silverware at Northampton's Sixfields Stadium as they contest the International Challenge Trophy final, which they last won in 2006.