[themaclad]

Colchester United youngster Brad Ihionvien has signed a new two-year deal at the struggling League Two club.

The teenage striker, who has been watched by bigger clubs this season, is now tied to the U's until 2025.

The 19-year-old was still only 18 when he made his Colchester debut in the final game of the 2012-22 season.

Ihionvien has still only made one League Two start, but he has twice come off the bench to score in his 10 substitute appearances this term.

Colchester said in a club statement that he "has been rewarded for his recent performances".

Ihionvien has also made two starts for the U's in the EFL Trophy.

Colchester lie 22nd in League Two, three points off the bottom, going into this Saturday's home game with Harrogate.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed striker Conor Wilkinson from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell for an undisclosed fee.

Wilkinson, 28, only joined the Steelmen from Walsall in the summer and scored four goals in 19 appearances.

Colchester, who are 22nd in League Two, have not disclosed the length of Wilkinson's contract.

Wilkinson is expected to go straight into the U's squad for Saturday's game at Swindon Town.

"Conor has been given the opportunity for more game time and a move closer to home," said Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell.

"We had a very good discussion during the negotiations and we both thought it best that this move should go ahead."

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed right-back Jayden Richardson on loan from Aberdeen for the rest of the season.

He was on loan at Stockport County earlier in the season but all 11 League Two appearances were from the bench.

Richardson began his career at Nottingham Forest and had spells at Exeter, Forest Green and Notts County before joining Aberdeen in 2022.

"I'm unbelievably excited - it came about so quickly," the 23-year-old told the Colchester website.

He has been a target for Colchester's new managerial duo, Danny and Nicky Cowley, in the past and could make his U's debut in Saturday's home game against Bradford City.

"Before I got the move to Aberdeen, I had a conversation with them whilst they were at Portsmouth so I know all about them," he said.

"I know what great people they are and what they can do - the energy and the feeling about them coming in here is massive so hopefully, that will help out the club as well."

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed defender Riley Harbottle on loan from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian for the remainder of the season.

The 23-year-old joins the U's after only making two appearances for Hibs in all competitions so far this campaign.

Harbottle made the permanent move to Hibs from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee in July.

The defender is League Two Colchester's third signing this month, subject to ratification.

Harbottle has previous experience in League Two, scoring six times in 37 appearances on loan at Mansfield last season.

Colchester currently sit 22nd in the table on 25 points, six points above the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Hibs goalkeeper Max Boruc has joined Scottish Championship side Arbroath on loan for the rest of the campaign.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed midfielder Alistair Smith from League One Lincoln City on a deal until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old joined the Imps from Sutton United at the start of the season on a two-year contract.

He has made 25 appearances in League One this term and scored in the 1-1 draw at Exeter at the end of October.

Smith is the fourth signing this month made by the U's new head coach Danny Cowley.

Cowley and his assistant - brother Nicky - have added Smith to recent arrivals striker Conor Wilkinson, right-back Jayden Richardson and defender Riley Harbottle, who have all joined from Scottish sides Motherwell, Aberdeen and Hibernian respectively.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed Stevenage winger Harry Anderson on loan for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old has only made three appearances for Boro since joining them from Bristol Rovers last summer.

Anderson, who began his career at Peterborough, will be reunited with manager Danny Cowley, having previously played under him at Lincoln City.

"Harry is a brilliant kid. He played a huge part in helping us get promoted at Lincoln twice," Cowley told BBC Essex.

"We watched him play this week for Stevenage in the Herts Senior Cup against Potters Bar.

"Even for that game, where others might not give it everything, he played with so much intensity. It makes complete sense to sign him and he's going to be great for this football club."

Anderson is Colchester's third signing of the week following Riley Harbottle and Alistair Smith.

Meanwhile, U's centre-back Nico Lawrence has had his season-long loan spell ended early, returning to parent club Southampton after making five appearances for the League Two side.

[themaclad]

League Two side Colchester United have released forward John Akinde, defender Tom Dallison, goalkeeper Sam Hornby and midfielder Marley Marshall Miranda.

Former Barnet and Lincoln City striker Akinde, 34, and Hornby, 29, both started in Colchester's final match of the season against Crewe Alexandra, which ensured they finished one place and three points clear of the relegation places.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley promised a summer "revolution" to ensure the club does not find itself in a relegation battle again next season.

Meanwhile, midfielders Noah Chilvers, 23, and Cameron McGeehan, 29, have been offered new deals.

Chay Cooper, who spent the end of the season on loan at Hartlepool United, and fellow 22-year-old Al-Amin Kazeem, who saw out the campaign at Galway in the League of Ireland, are also in discussions about extending their time with the club.

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed goalkeeper Matt Macey following his release by Portsmouth.

The 29-year-old is the first signing of the summer by U's boss Danny Cowley and has agreed an two-year contract.

Macey began the 2022-23 campaign with Luton Town and played one League Cup game for them before moving to Pompey in January.

He made 21 appearances for the Hampshire club, but none last season as they won promotion to the Championship.

"I’ve spoken to Danny and other people about the club and there's definitely a real positive vibe around the place," Macey told BBC Essex Sport.

"I think typically League Two is a league where more than anywhere, everyone can beat everyone on their day and that's just what makes it exciting every weekend.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of close competitive games but I'm really excited by the fact that the league seems wide open."

Cowley added: "He had a number of options higher up the pyramid, and we are so pleased that he sees the same potential in this football club as we do.

"Matt has some incredible attributes and a wealth of experience that will really help our young group.”

[themaclad]

Colchester United have signed winger Harry Anderson on a two-year contract following his release by Stevenage.

The 27-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with the U's, scoring twice in 10 League Two appearances.

He is boss Danny Cowley's second signing of the summer, following former Portsmouth goalkeeper Matt Macey.

Anderson previously played under Cowley and brother Nicky, his assistant, during loan spells at Braintree and Lincoln City.

"The boy has won promotion out of League Two twice, knows exactly what it takes," Cowley told BBC Essex Sport.

"He plays in a position where he's trying to do the hardest things in the game which is create goals and score goals, but he just gives you a level of consistency.

"You know exactly what you're going to get from him, you're going to get his absolute very best. If you can sign enough boys with that mentality, that will to win and that attitude and work ethic, then you won't be far short."

[themaclad]

Colchester United have doubled their total of summer signings to four by signing two players in half an hour - defender Ben Goodliffe and striker John-Kymani Gordon.

Goodliffe, 25, who had spent five seasons with Sutton United, has left following the South London club's relegation back to the National League.

He was part of the side who won promotion to the Football League for the first time in 2021.

Gordon, 21, moves on following his departure from Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Both players have signed a two-year deal to follow the previous capture of goalkeeper Matt Macey and winger Harry Anderson.