FORMER Colchester United defender Nico Lawrence has joined MK Dons on a season-long loan from Southampton.

The 21-year-old, who spent time on loan with the U's last season, has linked up with the League Two side and could face Colchester when the two clubs meet at the JobServe Community Stadium, on August 17.

Lawrence told the MK Dons website: "I sat down with (Southampton manager) Russell Martin for 20-30 minutes to discuss my options, and what would suit me best and help me thrive the most, and obviously it was MK!

 

"The style of play is something that excites me a lot, it's similar to Southampton's style of football, I can't wait to kick-start and get going!

"My Colchester experience was cut quite short in terms of injuries and stuff but Torquay I enjoyed; it was my first loan playing men's football and just getting my name out there and that exposure is something that obviously I really look forward to."

Lawrence signed a new contract with Southampton in April, keeping him at the Premier League club until 2026.

The young centre-back returned to the Saints in January, after spending the first half of the campaign on loan at the U's.

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MK Dons boss Mike Williamson told the club's website: "Nico is a highly-rated young player who had a few options this summer, so I'm delighted he's chosen to come here and Southampton have trusted us with his continued development.

"He possesses the ball skills and vision required to be a real asset to our defence but also has the physicality to compete in League Two, we're very pleased to have him."

Lawrence started last season in the Colchester starting line-up under Ben Garner, having joined the club on a season-long loan from Southampton last summer.

 

The Kinetic Foundation graduate made five appearances before suffering a serious ankle injury in the U's 3-0 win at Gillingham, last August.

Lawrence returned to Southampton for treatment and was on the verge of a comeback for Colchester before he suffered a dislocated shoulder in training that kept him out of action for a further period.

He was on a season-long loan at the U's but returned to Southampton, midway through the deal.