COLCHESTER United have made their first signing of deadline day after bringing in attacking midfielder Yassine En-Neyah.

The former Nottingham Forest youngster has joined the U's on a one-year deal and has been loaned out to Pitching In Isthmian League division north outfit Maldon and Tiptree.

En-Neyah has lived most of his life in Ireland, after being born in Morocco.

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The 23-year-old played for League of Ireland side Bohemians before being signed by Forest for their academy, in 2017.

En-Neyah told the Maldon and Tiptree website: "It was unbelievable. I spent almost seven years there. It became a home to me and made me become a man."

En-Neyah made his professional debut for Forest when he featured as an 81st-minute substitute in their FA Cup tie against Chelsea in January, 2020.

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In July 2021, he left Forest and joined League of Ireland division one side Shelbourne, helping them win the title.

En-Neyah then moved to Waterford before earlier this year joining Truro City, in the Southern Football League.

 

Now he has an opportunity in the EFL with Colchester but will spend this season on loan at their alliance club, Maldon and Tiptree.