COLCHESTER United have snapped up former Charlton Athletic player Jack Payne on a two-year deal.

The U's have held off competition from other clubs to sign the experienced midfielder, following his release by the Addicks at the end of last season.

Payne told cu-fc.com: “I’ve worked with Danny and Nicky before and we keep in touch generally, so when the summer came and I became a free agent, discussions started taking place.

“It got cut short so I’m really excited to be working with them again, I really enjoyed the time I had with them and it was a massive factor in me signing.”

Payne spent last season on loan at League Two side MK Dons, making 42 appearances and scoring seven goals in all competitions.

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The 29-year-old, who began his career at Southend United, has won promotion from all three divisions in the Football League and made 28 appearances for Huddersfield Town in the 2016/17 season, helping them win promotion to the Premier League.

Payne previously played under U's management duo Danny and Nicky Cowley while on loan at Lincoln City.

Payne becomes Colchester's sixth signing of the summer, following the arrival of Rob Hunt, JK Gordon, Matt Macey, Harry Anderson and Ben Goodliffe.

 

More signings are set to follow for the U's this summer, as Danny Cowley builds a squad which he hopes can challenge at the right end of the League Two table.