[themaclad]

Colchester United have made their fifth signing of the January window by agreeing an undisclosed fee for Exeter City captain Matt Jay.

The 26-year-old forward made more than 200 appearances for the Grecians, including 25 this season.

He scored 16 goals for the Devon club in 2021-22 which helped secure promotion to League One.

Jay has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract and could make his U's debut in Saturday's game against Rochdale.

"It's a really sad day leaving my boyhood club that's been in my heart for so many years. It was a decision that was difficult to make," he told the Exeter website.

"This year has not been perfect but one thing I would always do is give my all and I think the fans knew I would always give everything so hearing them sing my name always sent shivers down my spine."

He added: "I think the time is right to say goodbye and I'm hopeful that it will be a positive step in my career."

Jay's arrival at Colchester follows Connor Wood, Arthur Read, Fiacre Kelleher and defender Connor Hall - the latter signed from Port Vale on Saturday, also for an undisclosed fee.

Colchester are 20th in the League Two table.

Meanwhile, midfielder Charlie Owens has returned to Queen's Park Rangers at the end of his half-season loan.

He only made three appearances for the U's, all as a substitute.

'U's sign proven goalscorer' - Analysis
Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport

Having come up through Exeter City's youth ranks - he first joined as an eight-year-old - he has impressed on the field with his technical skill and off it with his mature leadership.

He took longer to break into the first team than many of his academy contemporaries - his best friend is England and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins - but once he did, he made his impact.

He scored 20 goals in the season after the pause for the Covid-19 pandemic and backed it up with 16 last term - his last the winner in a 2-1 victory over Barrow that secured promotion to League One.

But this season he has struggled to win a place as Jay Stansfield, Sam Nombe and Jevani Brown have built up an impressive attacking partnership.

Colchester have brought in a proven League Two goalscorer while Jay leaves Exeter City with a place in fans' hearts secured.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed striker Tom Hopper from Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee on a deal to run until the summer of 2025.

The 29-year-old scored 22 goals in 100 appearances for the Imps after joining them from Southend in 2021.

U's boss Matt Bloomfield has now brought in six new faces since the start of the January transfer window.

"I had the chance to join a club that wants to progress and the deal ticks a lot of boxes," Hopper told BBC Essex.

"Like anywhere, when you come in you have to work hard and earn your place and I imagine it'll be no different here.

"There's plenty of squad depth so I'm looking forward to that competition and start pushing people on, helping everyone else progress."

Colchester are 18th in the League Two table, seven points clear of the relegation places, and are away to Hartlepool United on Saturday.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed West Ham United defender Will Greenidge on a two-and-a-half year contract.

Greenidge did not play for the Hammers first team but made three appearances for their under-21 side in the EFL Trophy earlier this season.

The 20-year-old right-back is the seventh signing made by the U's since the start of the transfer window.

He came through the West Ham academy and scored his first goal in a 2-1 EFL Trophy win at Cheltenham in October.

No details of any fee or compensation have been disclosed by the two clubs.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed goalkeeper Tom Smith on loan from Arsenal for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old has yet to play a first-team game for the Gunners but has made 13 loan appearances for National League club Bromley this season.

The U's were in need of a new keeper because Sam Hornby and Ted Collins both require surgery.

Smith is the eighth signing made by Colchester since the start of the January transfer window.

Hornby has been out of action since playing in a 3-0 home win over Doncaster on 19 November.

He has knee and shoulder injuries which both require operations and will not play again this season.

"He has had injections in the past, but it has got steadily worse, and the advice was that it was best to have an operation now," said head physio Hayden Clifton.

Fellow keeper Collins, 20, also requires surgery after breaking a leg during a loan spell at Potters Bar.

"Ted has broken his tibia, and the X-rays and scans showed an unstable vertical fracture above the ankle," said Clifton. "Unfortunately it will be about a 14-week recovery timeline for Ted."

Collins made his only league appearance for the U's as a substitute following the sending off of Shamal George in a 1-1 draw with Swindon in January 2022.