CAMERON Coxe has signed for Colchester United on a permanent basis from National League outfit Solihull Moors.

The 23-year-old has featured regularly for the U's since joining on loan in the summer and has started their last two games at left-back.

Coxe, who has made 14 league and cup starts for Colchester, has completed a one-and-a-half year deal to join the U's.

He becomes the club's second permanent signing in this month's transfer window, following Tom Dallison's arrival from Crawley Town yesterday.

Coxe told Col U TV: "I've put a lot of hard work into the last couple of months to get this deal and I'm just very pleased that I've got it, at such a great club.

"When I came here on loan, I knew that I had to work hard to get the deal which has just happened.

"On the pitch, you just go out and play and do what you can for the club to get them to where they are.

"Since coming here, I've played quite a few games or been involved with the squad that I didn't really expect first coming here, so it's been pleasing for me that the gaffer has trusted me and given me the opportunity to do what I can do.

"I know the first half of the season hasn't gone as planned but we are trying and we are working hard day in, day out to get us out of this little struggle that we're in and I know that we can do it with the players we have around the changing room and at the club - we will get out of it."

Coxe joined Cardiff's academy at the age of seven and penned professional terms with the Bluebirds in 2017.

The right-back made his senior Cardiff debut against Burton Albion in the cup in August, 2017.

The defender made three further first-team appearances for Cardiff but was released by the Bluebirds in the summer of 2020.

He was the subject of transfer rumours linking him with a move to Premier League club Manchester City.

He was also linked with Cheltenham Town, before eventually linked up with Solihull for whom he made 23 appearances, last season.

Coxe has played for Wales at under-21, under-20, under-19 and under-17 level.

Indeed, he has made 16 appearances for Wales under-21s.

The defender earned his first senior call-up when he was selected for Ryan Giggs' preliminary squad for a friendly with Mexico, in 2018.