Colchester United striker Samson Tovide has signed contract

That’s the view of U’s head coach Ben Garner, after the teenage striker signed a new two-year contract at the JobServe Community Stadium, with an option of a further year.

Tovide has looked sharp in pre-season, scoring four goals, including a fine hat-trick in their 3-2 triumph at National League side Ebbsfleet United and winning penalties for Colchester in each of their final two friendlies against League Two sides Leyton Orient and Peterborough United.

The 19-year-old striker will wear the number nine shirt for the U's, in the forthcoming campaign.

Tovide is looking to build on his promising campaign last time around when he made 31 appearances and scored twice and U’s boss Garner is backing his all-action striker to hit the net.

Garner said: “Samson has such a desire to score goals.

“He’s combining that desire with composure and quality and that’s what’s going to get him the goals.

“He wants to make that the normality and not just the rare occasion.

“He wants to be a regular scorer and I think he’s got the attributes to do that.”

Fellow young striker Bradley Ihionvien has also been involved in pre-season for Colchester and bagged their winner in their second 60-minute game at Ebbsfleet, last month.

Garner says the U's academy youngster can play his part for the first team, this season.

“Brad’s a goalscorer,” said Garner.

“He did well in the 21s last year and he took his goal well (at Ebbsfleet).

“There were a couple of other chances where he looked like scoring at Maldon and Tiptree, last week.

“He’s a young player who’s come in over the last week or so and done well and shown that he can be in the squad and be competitive within it.”