Colchester United new boys Sagi Burton and Joe Keith are determined to make their new team a Division Two force to be reckoned with.

Burton - a 21-year-old central defender from first division Crystal Palace - and Keith - a 20-year-old left-sided defender from Premiership West Ham - both signed two-year contracts for the U's yesterday afternoon.

And looking forward to the exciting task ahead, the London-based duo cannot wait for the new season to get started.

Burton said: "When Colchester manager Mick Wadsworth told me of his plans for the future I wanted to be part of them. It already feels nice to be with a settled club.

"I played around 25 first team games for Crystal Palace last season, but all the time I was at Selhurst Park there was an air of uncertainty about the place.

Coming to Colchester has given me a chance to play regular first team football and my initial aim is to make sure I break into the side and enjoy a good run."

The same goes for former Upton Park youngster Keith, who declared: "I am very pleased that Colchester came in for me.

"I have been playing reserve team football at West Ham for four years now and I wasn't prepared to sit in the reserves for the rest of my footballing life.

"You have to move on in this game and Colchester United have given me a chance to do just that.

"I was even prepared to drop into Division Three to break into league football, but the chance to play in the second division with Colchester is very exciting. Now I want to win a regular first-team spot."

Colchester United new boys Joe Keith (left) and Sagi Burton (right)

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