SYLVESTER Jasper says he felt the love of the fans during his time at Colchester United.

The 20-year-old attacker has gone back to his parent club Fulham, after his deal with the U's expired.

Jasper impressed after joining Colchester on loan from the Championship club, last summer.

He made 24 league and cup appearances for the U's, scoring three times.

Jasper told fulhamfc.com: "I found it really educational playing regular senior football.

"I loved playing in front of big crowds every week and really enjoyed my time there.

“My performances progressed as I got more comfortable and I felt the love from the fans throughout."

Gazette:

Jasper impressed for Colchester and netted his first-ever senior goal for them in October when he scored the winner in their 1-0 win over Harrogate Town, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

And he followed that up with a fine strike in Colchester's televised FA Cup triumph over AFC Sudbury, in November.

Jasper also scored in the U's 3-1 triumph over Exeter City in League Two.

He also made his debut for Bulgaria under-21s when he featured for more than an hour in their 3-1 defeat to their Netherlands counterparts in a Euro U21 qualifier, in November.

Colchester had been hoping to keep Jasper and bring him back on loan, until the end of the season.

They had been holding discussions with Fulham about extending the winger's time at the JobServe Community Stadium.

However, he is now hoping to make a push for Marco Silva's first-team squad, who are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Championship.

Jasper added: "I feel much more capable and confident since returning to Fulham and so my main target now is to push for a place in Marco's squad and hopefully pick up some First Team minutes along the way."