Alex Wynter says he needed to “step out of his comfort zone” after signing for Colchester United.

The 21-year-old has ended a 12-year association with boyhood team Crystal Palace, after signing for the U’s on an 18-month deal.

Wynter, who first joined the Eagles when he was nine, lives only minutes away from Selhurst Park.

But the versatile defender managed only two senior appearances for Palace, during his time at the Premier League club.

And Wynter, who spent a month on loan at the U’s last season, admits he had to put his career first after leaving his home-town club.

He said: “Crystal Palace is where I learnt the game and it’s all I know - I’ve got a lot of good friends there.

“But I knew this season might be the one where I moved on and I had to put my career first."

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