Charley Edge is one of seven Colchester United youngsters to be released by the club today.

Edge, who made one U's first-team appearance last season as a substitute in their 3-2 defeat against Crawley Town, will now have the chance to find another club following the U's decision to release him.

Former Cardiff City striker Eli Phipps is also moving on, along with Tarryn Allarakhia, goalkeeper Dom Kurasik, Josh Pollard, Callum Sturgess and JJ Wilson, as the club reshape their under-23 squad for next season.

Colchester's Director of Football Tony Humes told the club's website: "The seven leaving us are undoubtedly talented footballers, but we haven't seen them push close enough to first team football.

"Players at this age need to be playing regularly in a first team at some level and we hope that they can make themselves a good career in the game.

"Josh has been with us for a number of years and we've seen him progress, including playing mens football at Maldon & Tiptree. Like the others, though, he needs to play regularly at this stage.

"We wish them all the best with the next steps in their footballing careers."