NOAH Chesmain says spending time at Colchester United at the end of the season has given him a ‘head start’ at his new club.

Chesmain, who has arrived on a one-year deal from Championship club Millwall, impressed on trial with the U’s under-23 side in the final weeks of the campaign.

The 20-year-old did enough to earn a permanent move to the Community Stadium – and the left-back is eager to prove he is worthy of a first-team spot.

Chesmain told the Daily Gazette: “It was great to spent time at Colchester at the end of the season.

“I’ve had some experience being around the club already and I’m not coming in from the cold, for the new season.

“I already know how they like to play and how they like to do things and it’s given me a bit of a head start.

“The main aim is to come back from pre-season and show that I am ready to take that opportunity.

“I want to improve, learn from the coaches and prove that I’m worthy of getting into the first team here.

“I found out from Millwall that I wasn’t going to get my contract extended there.

“I was looking for a new club and I saw that Colchester have a lot of youth players who have gone into their first team.

“Before I even went there, I knew that it was somewhere that I could progress and that was confirmed when I got there.

“Colchester have a good reputation for young players progressing and last season, quite a few of their academy players were in the first team.

“I know that is in place but at the same time, I know I have to prove myself, to show that I’m worthy of being in the first team.”

Chesmain made his Millwall first-team debut as a 17-year-old back in 2015, coming on as a late substitute in their 1-0 win over Bury.

The full-back made two further appearances for the Lions before his spell at the Den came to an end, towards the climax of the 2017-18 campaign.

Chesmain has also had loan spells for Welling United and Boreham Wood, during his career.

“It was difficult to leave Millwall,” added Chesmain, who can also play as a wing-back.

“They were very honest with me and they’ve been great throughout my time there.

“When they made the decision not to offer me another contract, they tried their very best to help me as much as they could.

“I’ll always have a lot of respect for them.”