TEDDY Bishop has revealed he came close to signing for Charlton Athletic prior to joining Colchester United.

But the midfielder insists his full focus is now on performing well for the U’s and helping them launch a promotion push, in League Two.

Bishop spent three weeks on trial at Charlton in pre-season after leaving Lincoln City, playing for them in friendlies.

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But a permanent deal did not materialise and the 28-year-old signed for Colchester earlier this month, on a two-year contract.

He has started the U's last three league and cup matches and says he is happy to be at the club.

Bishop said: “I was quite close to joining Charlton.

“In the end, it just came down to the squad number, as they had too many players to bring any in.

“It was good in the sense that I had three weeks’ training and games, which I guess a lot of other people out of contract wouldn’t have had.

“That’s put me in a better position but I think everything happens for a reason and I’m really happy to be at Colchester and looking forward to a good season.

(Image: Richard Blaxall)

“I’ve been lucky in the sense that I’ve trained and played a few games, so I haven’t been completely behind.

“I didn’t do any team training in the last two weeks of pre-season (before joining Colchester) apart from doing a bit on my own, which is completely different.

“There is an element of being a little bit cautious with me and just getting me up to scratch but at the same time, I didn’t come in with absolutely nothing out of my belt.”

Bishop progressed through Ipswich Town’s academy and clocked up 81 starts and 51 substitute appearances for their first team, scoring five times.

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He joined Lincoln in 2021 and played 112 games for the Imps, scoring 15 goals.

“I’ve played a lot of times in the Championship and in League One and this is my first experience of League Two,” added Bishop.

“I genuinely believe that my quality can be really, really good in this division and I can help Colchester get back to League One.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think this squad could get promoted.

(Image: CU-FC.COM)

“That’s 100 per cent why I’m here and the manager has done it before, so that’s a big thing as is the quality in the squad.

“I think anything below a top-seven finish this year will be disappointing.

“I had really conversations with the manager (Danny Cowley) and Nicky.

“I think they’ve built a really good squad this year and I was really impressed by the whole vibe that I got from the place when I came and had a look.

“There’s belief from the manager but also from the dressing room as well and I think if we all come together, we can have a really good season.”