COLCHESTER United have been linked with their fair share of players since the end of last season, on May 8.

The U's have already brought in a trio of signings, with Cole Skuse, Luke Chambers and Luke Hannant all arriving at the JobServe Community Stadium.

However, with a dozen first-team players having departed Colchester over the last month or so, they are still on the lookout for more additions ahead of the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

The Gazette looks at some of the names linked with the U's, over recent weeks.

Gazette:

ABU OGOGO

EXPERIENCED midfielder Ogogo has been linked with both Colchester and their Essex rivals Southend United, after being released by League Two-bound Bristol Rovers.

The former Arsenal youngster has also reportedly been given the chance by Gas boss Joey Barton to earn himself another deal with the Pirates.

Ogogo made 225 appearances for Dagenham and Redbridge over six seasons, after joining them from the Gunners in 2009.

The 31-year-old, who can also play at right-back, left Daggers for League One side Shrewsbury Town in 2015 and made more than a century of appearances for Salop before joining Coventry City.

He then joined Bristol Rovers where he made more than 50 league and cup appearances, scoring three times.

Gazette:

ALAN JUDGE

REPUBLIC of Ireland international midfielder Alan Judge is looking for a new club, following his released by Ipswich Town.

The 32-year-old has been linked with both the U's and League One side Gillingham, as he searches for his next footballing destination.

Judge, who has won nine caps for the Republic of Ireland, made 91 appearances for Town and scored eight goals, following his arrival from Brentford in January 2019.

In a message to Ipswich fans following his exit from the club in May, he said: “Me and my family have built up a great life here and met some lovely people at Ipswich in and out of the club.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed living in Suffolk.

"We now await our next adventure, wherever that may take us."

Gazette:

FRANK NOUBLE

THE experienced forward certainly requires no introduction to Colchester United fans.

After making nearly 100 appearances for the U's in a two-year spell with the club under John McGreal - helping them reach the League Two play-offs and the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in that time - Nouble returned on loan last season from Plymouth Argyle and played a significant role in helping them stay in the Football League.

Nouble, 29, is now a free agent following his release from the Pilgrims and has made no secret of the fact that he would be open to a permanent switch back to the JobServe Community Stadium.

Gazette:

FREDDIE SEARS

ANOTHER player who will need no introduction to Colchester fans.

The 31-year-old forward left the U's six years ago to join Ipswich Town having made more than 100 league and cup appearances for Colchester between 2012 and 2015, scoring 36 goals.

Former West Ham United youngster Sears was released by Ipswich last month having made 217 appearances for Blues and scored 34 goals since joining them from the U's.

Gazette:

DANILO ORSI-DADOMO

THE Maidenhead United forward caught the eye in the National League this season with his goalscoring, finding the net 19 times for Alan Devonshire's side.

The former Hampton and Richmond Borough and Hungerford United attacker spent five years in America studying and playing football at academy level for Chivas and Fort Lauderdale.

Orsi-Dadomo is no stranger to playing in Essex having played for East Thurrock United in the National League South.

Burton Albion and Bradford City are also said to be running the rule over the striker.

Gazette:

EMYR HUWS

ANOTHER player to have been released by Ipswich Town who has been linked with making the short trip to the JobServe Community Stadium, to join the U's.

Colchester are said to be showing interest in the 27-year-old, who initially joined Town from Cardiff in January 2017 before making the move permanent the following summer.

Huws, 27, made more than 50 league and cup appearances for Ipswich.

The former Manchester City trainee was released by the Blues at the end of the 2020/21 season, after an injury-hit spell at Portman Road.