COLCHESTER United boss Danny Cowley says he is a big admirer of Nottingham Forest’s academy after signing a trio of the Premier League club’s young starlets.

The U’s have recently snapped up three of the Reds’ talented young players, signing Aaron Donnelly and Jamie McDonnell on loan and Joel Thompson, on a short-term contract.

All three are Northern Irish youth internationals and their arrival at the JobServe Community Stadium follows on from Colchester signing ex-Forest duo Riley Harbottle and Jayden Richardson on loan last season.

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Cowley has revealed his knowledge of their academy dates back to his time as boss of Lincoln City.

Cowley said: “We know Nottingham Forest well from our time at Lincoln.

“They have so many good young players that come out of that academy.

“I don’t know what they do in Nottingham – there must be something in the water!

“They have players that are ultra-competitive and they play with real intensity and energy and aggression, which are all qualities that we like.

“We watched them a lot when we were at Lincoln and we’ve subsequently kept watching them every time that they’re down this way, so we knew the boys.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

“Whenever I take loans, I always try to take two together as this can help the transition.”

After signing Donnelly and McDonnell, the U’s snapped up midfielder Thompson on a short-term deal last week.

The versatile 19-year-old was a free agent after his deal with Forest was cancelled, just before transfer deadline day.

“Joel is a young player that Nottingham Forest really kindly made it possible for us to take on a permanent with their support in allowing him to come out on a free and support us with the wages,” added Cowley.

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“Joel has had a brilliant start to his career – I think he played senior football as a 15 year old in Northern Ireland.

“He got a move to Nottingham Forest, had a really nasty leg break and comes with an opportunity.

“Nottingham Forest in their dealings with us over Aaron and Jamie saw that this could be a really good place for a young player and ultimately, a soft landing for him having left Nottingham Forest.

“We’re really excited to see what the future brings for him.”