New Colchester United signing Jamie Cade today signalled that his decision to turn down offers from bigger clubs was simply because of the U's burning ambition and the belief that next season he could be playing Nationwide League Division One football at Layer Road.

New signing Jamie Cade with U's manager Phil Parkinson

The former England Under-19 international had a host of offers after Middlesbrough made the decision to release him, including one from ex-Premiership side Sheffield Wednesday.

Cade said: "I was approached by Sheffield Wednesday, Tranmere Rovers, Chesterfield and Darlington.

"Out of all of those the U's is by far the best one.

"It's the club with the most ambition. I know I can play Second Division football this season, and if we keep up this level of performance then I could be playing in the First Division next season. I really couldn't turn it down."

Cade is on the U's books up until the end of the 2004/2005 season and will pick up the number 11 shirt made vacant by the departure of Dean Morgan

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Published Thursday November 27, 2003

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