DOUG Loft says he is looking forward to scoring goals for Colchester United rather than against them after becoming the latest player to sign for the club.

The experienced midfielder, who has signed a two-year deal with the U’s, has been a thorn in the side of his new team over the years.

Loft has often impressed against Colchester for his previous clubs, including scoring a last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Gillingham in 2015 and a brace for Port Vale against the U’s, in 2014.

Now the 29-year-old is ready to make an impact for the U’s - instead of against them.

Loft told the Daily Gazette: “I hope I’ll be playing games and scoring goals for Colchester now.

“I’ve always done well against them over the years and I’ve enjoyed playing against them, so now I’m looking forward to getting some goals and assists for Colchester, rather than against them.”

Loft, who has made more than 300 league and cup appearances during his professional career, joined Colchester after being released by Gillingham at the end of last season.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion youngster says he had no qualms about dropping back down to League Two, where he helped Port Vale win promotion in 2013 and revealed he snubbed offers from third tier clubs in order to sign for Colchester.

“I met Colchester a couple of days after the end of the season and they were very keen,” added former England youth international Loft, who captained both Gillingham and Port Vale.

“I turned down a lot of offers from League One clubs to sign for Colchester.

“The club has a lot of things going for it – the stadium, the training ground, the staff and the chairman’s ambition.

“John McGreal and Tony Humes really sold me the club and made it clear what they wanted to do.

“They’re both really good football people and I really liked what they had to say.

“They want to get back up to League One next season and I feel like it’ll be a really good season.

“I’ve not played in League Two since winning promotion from there with Port Vale but I know that it will be a long season and a hard slog in the league.

“There are a lot of hard games and the team needs to stick together – if we do that, I think we can do alright.”

FACTFILE

NAME – DOUG LOFT

AGE – 29

BORN – MAIDSTONE, KENT

HEIGHT – 6FT

WEIGHT – 12ST 2LBS

PREVIOUS CLUBS – GILLINGHAM, PORT VALE, DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE (LOAN), BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

APPEARANCES (LEAGUE AND CUP) – 326

GOALS - 28