DANNY Cowley has revealed Colchester United learnt of Peterborough United’s interest in striker Bradley Ihionvien immediately after the summer pre-season game between the two sides.

The U’s head coach says Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony enquired about Ihionvien’s value following the friendly in July, eventually leading to the League One side paying a ‘significant six-figure fee’ to sign the young forward, on transfer deadline day.

U’s boss Cowley said: “Bradley was incredible that day at Peterborough when we played them in pre-season, behind closed doors.

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“We tried to keep the videos away from the world, because we knew if anyone saw them, then they’d see what we see in Brad!

“Darragh MacAnthony was there that day and literally the whistle went and he came up to me and said ‘how much?’

“We knew that there was an interest from there.”

Ihionvien left Colchester to join Peterborough on a three-year deal late on Friday night.

The 20-year-old was on the U’s team coach heading up to Accrington when he was given permission to disembark and travel to Posh, to complete his move.

(Image: STEVE BRADING)

Ihionvien made 39 league and cup appearances for Colchester, having emerged from the club’s academy.

Cowley added: “From a personal point of view, we’re really sad to lose Bradley.

“It’s such a privilege for Nicky and I to wake up every morning and help young players develop in their career but it’s our job to always have the very best interests of the club at heart and make good decisions on behalf of the club.

“We’re a club that has a brilliant academy and we have some brilliant young players and this is our model.

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“I said to all of our young players on (Friday) evening that you can see that there’s a pathway.

“We’re not the people that help you with one hand and punch you in the face with the other.

“If a bigger club comes in and there’s an opportunity, then we’ll drive you there ourselves and I generally mean that.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“Absolutely, I want to enjoy the players first and I want the supporters to enjoy the players and hopefully help create a winning team.

“But it is part of our model and what we now have to do is look for the next Bradley.”