DANNY Cowley admits the offer Colchester United received for Connor Hall was too good to turn down.

The 31-year-old defender quit the U's last week to join their League Two rivals Port Vale, for an undisclosed fee.

Hall, who had a year remaining on his Colchester contract, signed a two-year deal at Vale Park.

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Cowley admits the U's did not anticipate the centre-back departing, this summer.

However, the Colchester boss said they had to make an 'intelligent decision' about the experienced defender.

Cowley said: “That one probably came unexpected.

“Jayden Fevrier and Jay Mingi went early in the window and they were good deals for all parties.

“With Connor, he was obviously our captain last year.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“We didn’t anticipate losing him but we just got an offer we decided as a football club was too good to turn down.

“For us, it’s always to make intelligent decisions for the club and ultimately, when we sat down with Robbie (Cowling) and Dmitri (Halajko), it was to look at what the potential could be in this transfer.

“Of course, you never want to lose important players but at the same time, if you can create opportunity then you have to have the open mind.

“Robbie’s been brilliant throughout, because he’s got a very clear formula when we sell young players and what it looks like and what it looks like if they’re above the academy age and what comes back into the budget.

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“He’s been really supportive.

“Being able to move Jay Mingi, Jayden Fevrier and Connor Hall and of course, Al-Amin (Kazeem) and Chay Cooper going has allowed us some finance which allows us to recruit what we have, thus far."

Hall joined Colchester in January 2023 from Port Vale.

The former Harrogate Town defender made 63 league and cup appearances for the U's during his time with the club, scoring twice.

Hall was named club captain in July 2023 and made 43 appearances for the U's, last season but has now departed for a fresh challenge, after returning to his old club Vale.