FREDDIE Sears is back at Colchester United.

The experienced striker, who enjoyed a productive three-year spell with the U's between 2012 and 2015, has returned to the club on a two-year deal following his release by Ipswich Town.

Sears, who scored 36 times in 109 league and cup appearances for Colchester in his first spell at the club, has returned to the JobServe Community Stadium to play under new boss and his former Hammers team-mate, Hayden Mullins.

The 31-year-old made 217 league and cup appearances for Ipswich over a six-and-a-half year spell at the Suffolk club.

The striker, who was part of the Town side that reached the Championship play-offs, made 151 starts and 66 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring 34 times.

Gazette:

Sears started his career at West Ham United and made his Premier League debut for them, in 2008.

He has also had loan spells at the likes of Crystal Palace and Coventry City, earlier in his career.

Sears has become Colchester's fourth summer signing - and their third from neighbours Ipswich.

He follows his former Town team-mates Luke Chambers and Cole Skuse in joining the U's after leaving Portman Road, earlier this summer.

Colchester have signed winger Luke Hannant from Cambridge United, last week.