CHARLIE Daniels has already accomplished a great deal, in his professional playing career.

But the former Premier League left-back insists he is still hungry to enjoy plenty more success with his new club, Colchester United.

“I’ve still got things I want to achieve but the main thing is the club,” said Daniels, who made 129 appearances for AFC Bournemouth in the top flight of English football.

“That’s why I signed for this club; to improve the club and to get them in a better place than they were, last season.

“If I can do that, then I’ve done my job properly.”

Daniels signed a one-year deal with Colchester last week, having spent a number of weeks training with them as a free agent.

The 34-year-old made his first U’s appearance as a substitute in their 1-1 draw with Mansfield Town, having come off the bench for the injured Ryan Clampin.

The former Spurs youngster made his first start for his new club last weekend, helping Hayden Mullins’ side to a 2-1 triumph at Oldham Athletic.

“I’m really enjoying it at the minute,” said Daniels, who was born in Harlow and grew up in Walthamstow.

“I had a number of offers that just didn’t really appeal to me and then I got a call to come in and train here.

“I really enjoyed the lads and the set-up and everything about it and that’s why I signed.

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“The atmosphere around the place and the blend that we’ve got in terms of experienced and young players really appealed; if I can help the young players improve, that’s part of my job as well and that’s why I signed here.

“I’ve had a lot of highs in my career and I’ve had a good number of lows, as well.

“If you can stay positive when it’s down and stay on an even keel when it’s high, then I think you’re succeeding.

“I’ve been around for a while now and you know not to get too high and not to get too low.

“As the manager says, it’s something that we’re trying to put our belief in.”

Daniels is one of a number of experienced players Colchester have signed this summer, as they bid to enjoy a more productive campaign than the one before.

The likes of Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse and Freddie Sears have also been drafted in to complement talented youngsters such as Brendan Wiredu, Noah Chilvers and Ryan Clampin.

“I’m loving it and it seems like the youngsters’ enthusiasm and their willingness to improve is there,” said Daniels, who is closing in on 500 career appearances in all competitions.

“We have the intent as a football club to improve our players.

“As soon as you walk in the changing room you see experienced players and you think ‘we’ve got a good set up here and good youngsters who could eventually end up going higher and higher’.

“It’s a nice blend and it’s looking bright.”

Daniels says he is enjoying playing under boss Mullins, who is embarking on his first season as Colchester’s full-time head coach.

He said: “It’s been really good playing under him so far – I’ve been really impressed with the manager.

“He’s very calm on the sidelines but he definitely gets his points across.

“You can see in the way that we’re playing that we’re very composed but we’re creating chances, which is very pleasing.”

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Daniels says he is enjoying playing in front of crowds again, having played for both Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth last season in behind-closed-doors games due to the Covid pandemic.

“After last year with Covid and having no fans in the stadiums, it wasn’t the same,” said Daniels, who made nearly 150 appearances for Leyton Orient prior to joining Bournemouth in 2011.

“Just to have fans back in the stadiums again gives you that buzz and that energy, which we didn’t have last season.”

Daniels is now focused on facing Rochdale tonight, where he will be hoping to help Colchester record back-to-back wins following their victory at Oldham last weekend.

The defender added: “It was a good win at Oldham and now we’ve got to follow it up.

“We need to keep the momentum going and if we can keep picking up points away from home, then we shouldn’t be too far off come the end of the season.”