Colchester United are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper

Owen Goodman’s return to Premier League club Crystal Palace following the completion of his loan spell and both Sam Hornby and Ted Collins being released means the U’s will be looking to bring in at least one new shot-stopper to join Tom Smith, in the coming weeks.

The Gazette highlights five experienced goalkeepers currently available as free agents who might be of interest to Colchester, as they hunt for a new custodian.

1 BARTOSZ BIALKOWSKI

EXPERIENCED Poland international Bialkkowski is on the lookout for a new club, after leaving Championship side Millwall last month.

Bialkowski, 36, made a total of 169 appearances for the Lions having initially joined them on loan from Ipswich Town at the start of the 2019/20 season.

The 6ft 4in former Barnsley goalkeeper, who twice won the Player of the Season award at Millwall, claimed the Sky Bet Championship Golden Glove for the most clean sheets in the division in the 2020/21 season.

2 JONATHAN BOND

BOND has been without a club since leaving LA Galaxy by mutual consent, in February.

The 31-year-old spent nearly two years with the MLS club, having previously appeared for the likes of West Brom and Reading in the Championship.

Bond, an England under-21 international, started his career at Watford and also represented the likes of Peterborough United and Gillingham, in the EFL.

3 BEN AMOS

FORMER Manchester United younger Amos is a free agent after being released by League One side Wigan Athletic, earlier this month.

The 34-year-old has already had a host of clubs throughout his career, including the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City.

Amos, who once played in the Champions League for Manchester United, has made more than 300 league and cup appearances in his career, to date.

4 TOMAS HOLY

HOLY is one of eight players leaving Carlisle United this summer, after two campaigns with the club.

The 32-year-old made 73 appearances in his two campaigns with the Cumbrians, having previously been with Ipswich Town.

Holy, who is 6ft 9in, started his career at Sparta Prague and also played for the likes of Gillingham, Port Vale and Cambridge United.

5 JAMIE JONES

FORMER Colchester United loanee Jones was due to be out of contract at Middlesbrough, this summer and is available to speak to other clubs.

But the 35-year-old will remain at the Championship club as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

The Boro statement read: “Jamie Jones’ contract is due to expire this summer, though the goalkeeper will remain at Rockliffe to receive treatment on a shoulder injury sustained during the season, with a view to extending his stay.”

Jones played 18 times for Colchester during his loan spell at the club in the 2015-16 season.

He has also played for the likes of Leyton Orient and Stevenage during a career that has seen him make more than 400 league and cup appearances.