THIS is without doubt another pivotal summer for Colchester United and their player recruitment.

But U’s supporters should not at this early juncture be concerned about the number of arrivals to date, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

The departure of Jayden Fevrier and Jay Mingi to League One side Stockport County over recent weeks has been tough to see, for many Colchester fans.

READ MORE: New academy signing highlights player pathway after U's move

It’s always difficult when you lose your best players and Fevrier and Mingi undoubtedly stood out for the U’s last season, in their difficult League Two campaign.

Rumours are circulating that player of the year Arthur Read might be the next player to depart Colchester; naturally, such speculation has not helped the mood of some fans, who are naturally disappointed to see departures, rather than arrivals.

But clearly, it is still very early days.

Many players and agents are on holiday, taking a well-earned break; existing contracts do not expire until the end of June.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Things are traditionally slow moving in June, before ramping up in July and August, as the EFL transfer deadline creeps closer.

Make no mistake, Danny and Nicky Cowley will have outlined their targets with recruitment guru Simon Bassey and sporting director Dmitri Halajko at the end of last season; offers and bids will be in place, behind the scenes.

The cash generated by the sale of Fevrier and Mingi will have no doubt boosted the coffers and negotiations will be happening, behind the scenes.

READ MORE: Defender links up with non-league side after U's departure

Last week’s arrival of goalkeeper Matt Macey is a case in point.

The former Arsenal youngster become the U’s first summer signing after arriving on a two-year contract and was clearly high – if not top – of the Cowleys’ shopping list when they targeted a new goalkeeper.

“We’re delighted to be able to bring Matt to the club,” said head coach Danny.

“He had a number of options higher up the pyramid, and we are so pleased that he sees the same potential in this football club as we do.

“For Nicky and I the number one and number nine are always key positions.”

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Without doubt, this is another important summer for Colchester.

Of the 12 players that featured in the U’s final game of the season against Crewe Alexandra barely six weeks ago, only five at this stage remain under contract at the club for the 2024-25 campaign – Read, Fiacre Kelleher, Connor Hall, Ellis Iandolo and Tom Hopper.

The recent loss of Fevrier and Mingi, combined with the uncertainty over the future of Cameron McGeehan, Noah Chilvers, Chay Cooper and Al-Amin Kazeem and the return of loanees Owen Goodman, Zach Mitchell, Harry Anderson, Riley Harbottle, Jayden Richardson and Alistair Smith to their parent clubs, has left the U’s looking light, with 13 first-team contracted players for next season.

READ MORE: Son of former Colchester United favourite joins Braintree

Without doubt, reinforcements are needed but it is still early days and there has been relatively limited player movement in the whole of League Two so far, this summer.

Colchester brought in a total of 11 new players in last summer’s transfer window and the chances are, it could be a similar number of arrivals, this time around.

But many of them, including Mingi, Joe Taylor and Cameron McGeehan, were signed in the final days of the window and it could be a similar scenario again.

It could be argued that the U’s saved the best until last.

(Image: RICHARD BLAXALL)

Danny Cowley has said he would ideally like all of his new signings to be in place for the start of the U’s pre-season, on July 1.

However, the Colchester boss is also experienced and realistic enough to know that this is highly unlikely, given the nature of the summer transfer climate.

So U’s fans might just have to be patient for a little longer in welcoming new signings, as they attempt to build a squad capable of challenging at the right end of the League Two table, next season.