Freddie Sears has left Colchester United to join Championship club Ipswich Town.

The former West Ham striker, who has scored 14 goals in 29 appearances this season, has joined the Portman Road side on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old initially joined the U’s in January 2012 on loan before making the move permanent ahead of the 2012/13 season.