AARON Donnelly says he is relishing the chance to play competitive senior football again after joining Colchester United.

The 21-year-old made his debut for the U’s in their Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford on Wednesday, having arrived on a season-long loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

Donnelly already has experience of playing on loan both at Scottish Premiership side Dundee and Port Vale, where he made 20 appearances in League One in the 2022-23 season.

READ MORE: Colchester United fans have their say on Brentford defeat

And the left-sided defender, who had been linked with a return to Dundee prior to joining the U’s, says he is excited to show what he can do.

Donnelly said: “The transfer happened really quickly which is great – I love getting out playing.

“The lads and the coaching staff at Colchester have been excellent.

“Ever since I came in, all of the lads have got around me.

“I know Lyle (Taylor) from before at Forest and he was great welcoming me.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“With this loan experience, I want to get out and show people why I really want to play men’s football again.

“I’ve had a really successful two loan periods and I’m hoping to build on that, this season.

“I want to play football.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it at Dundee, last season but I’m at Colchester now and I’m a Colchester player for the rest of the season and I’m ready to get going.”

READ MORE: Thomas Frank has words of praise for Colchester after cup-tie

Donnelly was handed his Colchester debut against Brentford, on the left side of a three-man central defence.

“Left side of the three is probably my favourite position,” said Donnelly.

“It allows me to show my qualities, on and off the ball, both attacking and also when defending.

“It’s a system that really suits me – I played it at Port Vale and Dundee and now at Colchester.

“It was a really good game and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“I thought we defended very well and we were very compact and I think that was the game plan.

“The fans got behind us throughout the whole game and I think as players and all of the coaching staff, we’ve got to thank them.

“I think they were the 12th man getting behind us and really cheering us on.”

Donnelly was involved in the game’s only goal against Brentford, which proved a controversial moment.

The Northern Ireland international appeared to be fouled by Bees striker Kevin Schade but referee Paul Howard waved play on, allowing the ball to be squared for Keane Lewis-Potter to convert.

READ MORE: Colchester United player ratings after Brentford cup defeat

Donnelly said: “I was trying to shepherd it out and got a push in the back.

“For me and I think the whole of the stadium, I thought it was a foul but for the referee and his officials, it wasn’t.

“At the end of the day, their decisions are final and we can’t change it.

“We’re going to have to bounce back on Saturday at Accrington.

(Image: CU-FC.COM)

“It’s about building on (the Brentford game).

“I’ve played at Accrington and it’s not a nice place to go to.

“I played there for Port Vale two years ago and I know what to expect – I’m really looking forward to it.”

Donnelly’s long throw caused plenty of problems in the Brentford box, in the early stages of the Carabao Cup tie.

Donnelly added: “The long throw is something that they implemented at Port Vale, when I was there and last season at Dundee, it was a huge threat towards other teams.

“It’s a huge threat at set pieces that I can bring into this team and I’ve shown that we can score from it and definitely create opportunities from it.”