COLCHESTER United have signed Alistair Smith on loan from League One side Lincoln City for the rest of the season.

The 24-year-old midfielder has become the U’s fourth new signing of the January transfer window and their second in the space of little more than 24 hours, following the arrival of Riley Harbottle from Scottish Premiership side Hibernian on loan until the end of the season.

Smith, who was born in East Yorkshire, has made 32 league and cup appearances for Lincoln since joining them from Sutton United on a two-year deal, last summer.

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The Imps saw off competition from a number of their League One rivals to sign Smith last summer after he rejected a new deal with Sutton, where he had spent two years.

Smith played 78 times for Sutton in total, scoring 14 times and scooping the Young Player of the Year award, in the 2022-23 campaign.

The midfielder started his career at Mansfield Town, where he made 16 senior appearances.

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During his time at the One Call Stadium, he had loan spells at non-league clubs Kettering Town and Altrincham before then moving onto Sutton.

Smith is Colchester’s fourth signing this month, following the arrival of Harbottle, Jayden Richardson and Conor Wilkinson.

Smith is hoping to make his Colchester debut when they visit Morecambe, on Saturday.

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The U's are aiming to clinch their first win under new management duo Danny and Nicky Cowley and move away from League Two relegation danger.

Smith's last competitive action came for Lincoln in their 2-0 defeat at Blackpool, on New Year's Day.

Smith told Col U TV: “It’ll be a tough game at Morecambe; I think they’re doing alright.

“I’m really excited to get going.”

Lincoln City's director of football Jez George said: “This loan gives Ali the opportunity to get his season going by being first choice in his favoured position.

"All parties agree that it will benefit Ali to get a run of games so we have facilitated a loan that might also allow us to move in the last week of the transfer window if the right option becomes available.”