DANNY Cowley says he is pleased to have finally got his man after signing midfielder Jamie McDonnell on loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
The U's completed a season-long deal for the 20-year-old on deadline day, having initially agreed a deal with Forest in pre-season.
Colchester were due to sign the Northern Ireland youth international in July but the move was initially scuppered due to McDonnell suffering an ankle injury.
We are delighted to announce the arrival of the young midfielder on loan from @NFFC on loan until the end of the season!#ColU | #WeAreUnited
- Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) August 30, 2024 But the U's have now secured the services of McDonnell, who follows his City Ground team-mate Aaron Donnelly in joining Colchester on loan from the Reds.
U's boss Cowley said: "We'd agreed the Jamie McDonnell deal six weeks ago but he picked up a really nasty ankle injury on the day that we'd got the agreement with Nottingham Forest.
"He's a really competitive player who will add to our midfield, particularly defensive midfield."
We haven't yet had the chance to speak to Jamie following his arrival - but we'll bring you an interview with the newcomer in the next few days!#ColU | #WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/8dNIJH9Bmk
- Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) August 30, 2024 McDonnell has been a regular in Forest's under-21 side, over the past two seasons.
The midfielder is in line to make his Colchester debut in their home clash with Bromley, on Saturday.
The U's will be hoping to build on last weekend's hard-earned draw at Accrington Stanley, where Ben Goodliffe's late equaliser salvaged a share of the spoils, after Kelsey Mooney had given the hosts a first-half lead.
It was Colchester's first away point in League Two this season and boss Cowley knows that they will need to pick up plenty more on the road, if they are to challenge at the right end of the table.
He added: "You're defined as a team on your away form; I always think that.
"It was only our second away game, so we're still learning about ourselves as a group with our away form.
"We'll take a lot of learning from the (Accrington) game I think and the ambition is to come back stronger as a consequence."