COLCHESTER United boss Danny Cowley admits he will be sad to see Ross Embleton leave the club.

But the Cowley is quick to wish the U's Head of Recruitment well in his new role, ahead of his departure from the JobServe Community Stadium later this month.

Embleton. who joined the U's in the summer of 2022, will leave his position with the League Two side after accepting a role at a Premier League club.

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The former Leyton Orient manager has most recently played a big role in helping Colchester bring in a number of key signings in the January transfer window and has been praised by head coach Cowley for his work in helping them bolster their squad.

Embleton has also twice spent time in caretaker charge of the U’s, prior to them appointing permanent head coaches.

Cowley said: “We’ve only worked with Ross for a fairly short time but he’s a great person and he’s someone that I knew before, coming into the club.

Gazette:

“It’s great to have a recruiter that’s been a coach and been a manager, because he can kind of walk in your shoes.

“Sometimes for recruiters, it’s always to find the young sexy player or the rough diamond you can turn into the asset and of course, this is the ballpark of the job but you also have to make some sensible signings as well.

“He really helped us this window and he knew exactly what we wanted.

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“We were completely aligned – myself, Nicky (Cowley), Dmitri (Halajko) and Ross from day dot.

“He’s got a wonderful offer from a Premier League club and we’re sad to see him go but we obviously wish him all the best for what’s coming next."

Colchester say they will be actively recruiting as soon as possible for a 'quality replacement' for Embleton as their new Head of Recruitment.