PROMISING young defender Frankie Edwards has set his sights on making his first-team debut after signing his first professional contract at Colchester United.

The 18-year-old, who spent time on loan at Maldon and Tiptree last season, was included in some of the U’s first-team training sessions, in the 2023-24 campaign.

Edwards told the U’s website: “It was really good (at Maldon and Tiptree).

“I now know what tempo the first team is – it was a really good experience.

 

“Every time I played, I enjoyed it.

“Now, I want to have the best possible season to try and extend it [new contract].

“Now my goal is to try and make my first team debut – hopefully this year I will be able to if I keep working hard for it.”

Edwards was a regular for Colchester’s under-21s and under-18s in the Professional Development League, last season.

READ MORE: Opportunity knocks next season for Colchester youngsters

He said: “It was tough last season, there was a lot of hard work, ups and downs, but I felt I worked hard enough and deserved a professional contract.”

Edwards is one of four academy players to be offered professional contacts with Colchester, at the end of last season.

Milton Oni, Max Jolliffe and Harrison Chamberlain have also recently penned full-time deals with the League Two club, while Kien Connolly has also signed professional terms after impressing on trial at the end of last season.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Colchester head coach Danny Cowley said: “I think we’ve got a really good model, a conveyor belt of young talent.

“The football world knows that now and the football world is watching, so it’s a brilliant place for young players to come and play.

“If I was any young player or an agent of a young player, one of the first phone calls I’d make would be to Colchester United because you just have to look back on recent times and see that they get opportunities and there’s a clear pathway for young players and if they come in and do well, then people will be watching.”