Teenage French wizard Thomas Pinault has followed Joe Keith and signed a new contract with Colchester United.

Former AS Cannes midfielder Pinault has agreed a new deal that will keep him at Layer Road until July 31, 2004.

The 19-year-old said: "I have agreed a new contract for the rest of this season, plus two more.

"I am really enjoying myself in the first team and this new deal gives me far more security and a chance to boost my experience in League football.

"My aim now is to improve my standards and help Colchester United on to better things. I want to play in a higher division one day and maybe move to a bigger club." Find out more about Colchester United FC Former West Ham trainee Keith has been operating on a monthly basis since his previous two-year deal ran out in July, but has now signed to stay at Layer Road until the end of the 2002-2003 season.

Only two weeks ago he was being strongly linked with a move to former Premiership champions Blackburn Rovers.

Whitton said: "It's looking like good news all-round.

"Both of them are young players with very good prospects and we have been working things out for some time."

Whitton added: "My whole squad is getting a younger look about it now which augers well for the future.

"The mix of young and old legs is getting closer now and it's always been my policy that if they're good enough they're old enough."

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