COLCHESTER United have completed the season-long loan signing of Nottingham Forest defender Aaron Donnelly.

The U's announced the capture of the 21-year-old prior to their Carabao Cup clash with Brentford tonight, where he could make his debut for Danny Cowley's side.

Donnelly has been given squad number 25 for Colchester.

 

Donnelly told cu-fc.com on Tuesday: "I spoke to the Gaffer and his coaching staff and it was a really productive chat.

"They had nothing but good things to say about the club, and the players around the club. I’m really looking forward to get going.

“The boys have been excellent from when I came in. Trained this morning, a really good intensity and I’m ready for the game tomorrow night.

“I just want to go out and express myself, show the fans and the gaffer what I can do and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Donnelly, a left-sided defender, has been at Forest since 2019, when he joined them from Northern Irish outfit Dungannon Swifts.

He penned his first professional contract with the Reds in 2021 and made his professional debut for them in 2022 when he started their EFL Cup win over Grimsby Town.

Donnelly extended his contract with Forest in December 2022 and the following month, joined Port Vale on loan.

He made 20 appearances for Vale, scoring once and the following season, joined Scottish Premiership side Dundee on loan.

Donnelly clocked up 21 total appearances for the Scottish club, helping them to a top-six finish and earning a call-up for Northern Ireland, for whom he made his senior debut earlier this summer against Andorra.

The left-sided defender will add competition in the U's defence, as they aim to move up the League Two table.

Donnelly is Colchester's 12th summer signing, ahead of tomorrow night's transfer deadline.