COLCHESTER United’s first two signings of the January transfer window have both come from Scottish clubs.
Jayden Richardson’s arrival on loan from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen followed hot on the heels of Conor Wilkinson arriving from Motherwell, on a contract until the summer of 2025.
But there are plenty of former U’s players who have made the opposite journey, north of the border.
Here are nine ex-Colchester United players who are currently plying their trade, north of the border.
SHAMAL GEORGE
Former Colchester goalkeeper Shamal George is currently turning out for Scottish Premiership side Livingston.
The 26-year-old joined the Lions from the U’s in the summer of 2022 for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal and has made 58 appearances for them, to date.
The former Liverpool keeper’s last appearance for Livingston came in their Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers, on Saturday.
FRANKIE KENT
Kent scored Hearts’ stoppage-time winner in their Scottish Cup victory over The Spartans, on Saturday.
It was the former Colchester defender’s first goal for the Edinburgh club since joining them from Peterborough United, last summer.
Kent, 28, came through the U’s academy and made 141 appearances in five seasons for the club before joining Peterborough, in 2019.
MILES WELCH-HAYES
Defender Welch-Hayes joined Livingston last summer, after leaving National League side Altrincham.
The 27-year-old has made three appearances so far for Livi, with his last game for them coming last month in their 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen.
Welch-Hayes made 58 appearances in total for Colchester after joining them in February 2020, following his departure from Macclesfield Town.
He signed for the U's just days before that season was curtailed by the Covid pandemic.
Welch-Hayes ended up making his U's debut as an extra-time substitute in their play-off semi-final second leg defeat at Exeter City.
CRAIG SLATER
Slater is currently plying his trade in the Scottish Championship for Arbroath.
The 29-year-old midfielder has made 26 appearances for them since arriving from Forfar, last summer.
Slater, who is also first-team coach for Scottish Women’s Premier League team Motherwell, played for the U’s for two years under John McGreal between 2016 and 2018.
Slater made 42 league and cup appearances for Colchester after joining them from Kilmarnock, scoring three times.
DREY WRIGHT
Former Colchester winger Wright has been playing his football in Scotland since joining St Johnstone, in 2018.
The 28-year-old is currently back with Saints after re-joining them from Hibernian in 2022 and was their player of the year last season.
However, Wright has been sidelined for nearly three months after injuring his knee in the Perth side’s 0-0 draw with Aberdeen, last October.
Wright made more than 150 appearances for Colchester after emerging through their academy ranks before leaving them in 2018.
KURTIS GUTHRIE
Well-travelled striker Guthrie has been plying his trade at Scottish Premiership side Livingston since joining them in the summer of 2022, following a spell playing in India with I-League side RoundGlass Punjab, where he scored 13 times in 18 appearances.
Guthrie has made nearly 50 appearances for Livi this season, including in their Scottish Cup tie against Raith Rovers.
The 30-year-old had an eventful two-year spell at the JobServe Community Stadium, after joining them in the summer of 2016.
He netted 12 times in his first season for the U’s following his move from Forest Green Rovers.
But the striker experienced a frustrating second campaign in North Essex; after returning from a seven-month ankle injury lay-off he was ruled out for a further three months, soon after.
Guthrie left Colchester in April, 2018 and eventually joined Stevenage.
KIERAN O’HARA
Former Colchester goalkeeper O’Hara is currently on the books of Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, after joining them from the U’s last summer.
The 27-year-old has so far made two appearances for Killie, this season.
The former Manchester United youngster signed a one-year deal with the Scottish club last summer, after he was released by Colchester at the end of last season.
O'Hara made a total of 31 league and cup appearances for Colchester, after joining them on a free transfer last August.
JAKE HUTCHINSON
Young striker Hutchinson joined Queen of the South last summer, after leaving Colchester United.
The 21-year-old came on as a second-half substitute for the Scottish League One side in their 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat at St Mirren, on Saturday.
Hutchinson has made 17 appearances for Queen of the South, scoring once.
He came through the academy ranks at Colchester but did not make a senior appearance for them.
MIKAEL MANDRON
Ex-Colchester striker Mandron is currently playing for Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.
The 29-year-old has made 26 appearances for the Saints, scoring six goals.
Mandron made 95 appearances during his two-year stay at Colchester between 2017 and 2019, penned a two-year deal with the Buddies after his contract at Motherwell expired in July.
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