FORMER Colchester United midfielder Gene Kennedy has signed for Welling United.

The 21-year-old spent time on loan at the National League South club last season from the U's.

And he has now joined the Wings on a permanent basis, after being released by Colchester at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

 

He will link up again with former Braintree Town manager Rod Stringer and ex-U's midfield maestro Kevin Watson, at the non-league club.

Kennedy told the Welling United website: “I had the loan last year and I loved it – working with Rod, Kev and the boys.

"I enjoyed the battle of staying up and, hopefully, this season we’re up there.

“If we can play like we were under Rod and Kev last season, it will be really exciting.

 

"I’ve had a nice summer, but I can’t wait to be back out there.”

Kennedy joined Welling on loan in February and impressed during his 16 league appearances for the club.

He scored once, in the 3-2 home victory over Truro City.

Kennedy progressed through the youth ranks at Colchester before making 12 senior first-team appearances for the club, including six League Two matches.

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The U's academy product played three senior games for the U's last season, all of which came in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Kennedy had been at Colchester since under-ten level and made his senior bow for the club under Hayden Mullins in their 1-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Birmingham City, in the 2021-22 season.