FREDDIE Sears’ arrival at Dagenham and Redbridge earlier this week saw the experienced striker find a new club, following his departure from Colchester United at the end of last season.
But what happened to the host of other players who were released by the U’s, following the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign?
The Gazette takes a look at where the senior players who departed the JobServe Community Stadium have ended up.
TOMMY SMITH
FREDDIE Sears’ arrival at Dagenham and Redbridge earlier this week saw the experienced striker find a new club, following his departure from Colchester United at the end of last season.
But what happened to the host of other players who were released by the U’s, following the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign?
The Gazette takes a look at where the senior players who departed the JobServe Community Stadium have ended up.
TOMMY SMITH
AFTER leaving Colchester, experienced defender Tommy Smith linked up with their League Two rivals MK Dons.
The 33-year-old has made eight appearances for the Dons so far this season and played against the U’s in his side’s 3-2 victory at the JobServe Community Stadium, last month.
Smith, who has this week been named in the New Zealand squad for their upcoming internationals against Australia and DR Congo, made nearly 100 appearances for Colchester in his three-year spell with the club.
LUKE CHAMBERS
DESPITE being 37 years old when released by Colchester United, many expected Luke Chambers to continue his impressive professional playing career elsewhere.
So it came as something as a surprise when the former Ipswich Town centre-back announced his retirement from playing last month, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious 20-year period in the EFL spanning 871 games.
Chambers was the U’s highest appearance maker in the 2022-23 season.
Many have tipped Chambers to go into coaching but it remains to be seen whether or not the former U’s captain will choose to go down that route.
FREDDIE SEARS
FORMER Colchester United favourite Freddie Sears has bided his time in searching for a new club, following his exit from the U’s.
But he has now opted to sign for Dagenham and Redbridge, joining the National League side on a deal until the end of the season.
Sears has linked up at Victoria Road with former U’s team-mate Tom Eastman, who was also released by Colchester at the end of last season.
RYAN CLAMPIN
SPENT the second half of last season on loan at Scottish Championship side Dundee, before being released by Colchester at the end of last season.
Soon after his departure was announced, the U’s academy product linked up with National League side Eastleigh in June, bringing the curtain down on his 16-year association with Colchester.
The 24-year-old attacking left-back has so far played eight games for the Hampshire side.
ALAN JUDGE
CREATIVE midfielder Alan Judge is still recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in Colchester United’s defeat at Sutton United, last December.
The former Republic of Ireland international, who made 55 league and cup appearances for the U’s after joining them from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2021, suffered the injury in the first half of the 1-0 reverse, with the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) and MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) all affected.
Judge has been rehabilitating at Florence Park, as he aims to bounce back and resume his playing career.
COLE SKUSE
ALMOST immediately after his departure from Colchester United was announced, experienced midfielder Cole Skuse was named the new manager of Pitching In Isthmian League division north side Bury Town.
The 37-year-old brought the curtain down on his impressive professional playing career after leaving the U’s, where he made 75 league and cup appearances after joining them from Ipswich Town in 2021.
LUKE HANNANT
HAVING spent the second half of last season on loan at Scottish Championship club Dundee, helping them win promotion to the top flight, Luke Hannant was released by Colchester United.
The 29-year-old wide player has linked up with his former club Gateshead in the National League, where he has so far made ten appearances and scored twice.
Hannant played 72 times for the U’s, during his two-year spell at the JobServe Community Stadium.
TOM EASTMAN
COLCHESTER-BORN defender Tom Eastman was high up the list of the U’s all-time appearance makers when he was released by the club, at the end of last season.
The 31-year-old spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at their League Two rivals Harrogate Town, who were keen on signing the former Ipswich Town defender on a permanent basis.
However, Eastman was keen to stay within his Essex roots and joined National League side Dagenham and Redbridge, where he has made three appearances so far.
The popular centre-back is currently sidelined with an injury.
KIERAN O’HARA
AFTER leaving Colchester United, goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara signed for Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, on a one-year deal.
His appearances for the Scottish Premiership outfit have been limited so far, with his only game time in the league to date coming as a half-time substitute in his side’s 2-2 draw against Hibs and in a Scottish Challenge Cup tie with Dumbarton, which they lost on penalties.
The Republic of Ireland international made a total of 31 league and cup appearances for Colchester, after joining them on a free transfer in August, 2022.
EMYR HUWS
MIDFIELDER Emyr Huws was released by Colchester United at the end of last season after his appearances had been limited by injury.
The 29-year-old, who made 19 league and cup appearances for the U’s after joining them in January, 2022, is yet to link up with a new club.
