Colchester United boss Steve Whitton completed a great weekend today with the signing of Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ross Johnson.

The U's finally got their man, as originally promised, on a free transfer.

Johnson - one of the stars of Saturday's tremendous 1-0 win at Second Division promotion candidates Wigan Athletic - dashed from his Brighton home today to complete the deal after it appeared to be on the rocks on Friday.

Both Johnson and Whitton were angered as the transfer was thrown into jeopardy at the eleventh hour when Seagulls manager Micky Adams suddenly demanded an unspecified transfer fee for the player.

A delighted Johnson, 24, said: "I'm just glad everything has been sorted out because the move suits me and Colchester.

"It was very frustrating not knowing what was going to happen, but now I can get down to concentrating on playing football."

An equally ecstatic Whitton echoed the player's thoughts. He said: "As far as I am concerned Ross was always coming to join us on a free transfer.

"The deal was finally sorted out by the two club chairmen yesterday and Ross joined us today on a permanant deal that could work out better than his original one."

Johnson had initially accepted an 18-month contract.

His arrival at Layer Road cancels his loan contract which now leaves Whitton free to use another loan option at a later date.

Meanwhile, central defender David Greene, injured in the recent home defeat by Bury, had his leg put in plaster on Friday and will be out of action for at least three weeks.

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