LONG-serving Dean Bennett has insisted an ambition to play at a higher level prompted him to quit Kidderminster Harriers after nearly six successful years.

The hard-working midfielder or forward, 26, has opted to join Wrexham on a two-year contract, despite director of football Jan Molby believing he was set to extend his stay at Aggborough.

Molby announced Bennett had made a verbal agreement in May to pen a deal for two years on reduced terms but the former record signing will instead accept similar money at the Coca-Cola Football League One side.

The ex-West Brom and Bromsgrove player is to link up again with another old Harriers favourite Danny Williams in north Wales and his former manager at the Hawthorns, Denis Smith.

Bennett is seen as a replacement for injured right wing-back Carlos Edwards, though his best games for Kidderminster since joining in 1999 tended to be as an attacking central midfielder.

He said: "Wrexham are in a higher division than Kiddy so obviously this is a step-up for me. That's one of the main reasons for coming.

"I'd like to get into the first team and establish myself, possibly bringing a few goals in the process.

"I'm joining a bigger club and hopefully there is the potential here to win promotion and go up another division."

Bennett made 228 Harriers appearances and scored 32 goals, including a stunning seven in consecutive league games in 2001, but missed the late part of last season with a knee injury.

He added: "I'm gutted to be leaving. It was a very hard decision as I have had five-and-a-half great years at Kidderminster but it has always been my ambition to play at a higher level.

"I have made a lot of good friends at Kidderminster. The fans have always been excellent towards me and I feel I have always given them 100 per cent in return.

"I really do hope Kidderminster go on to get promotion and prove that I should have stayed to achieve my ambition. No-one would be happier than me if they do that."

But Molby said: "I understand and appreciate Dean wanting to prove himself at a higher standard, that's only human. What I am not happy with is he told me he was going to stay."

However, Bennett believed he had indicated his happiness to stay at Kidderminster only if a bigger club did not come along.