COLCHESTER United have made their first signing of the January transfer window after announcing the capture of Motherwell striker Conor Wilkinson on a permanent deal.

The 28-year-old striker has signed for the U's for an undisclosed fee from the Scottish Premiership side, where he has beenย for the past six months.

Wilkinson played under U's head of recruitment Ross Embleton during his time at Leyton Orient.

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The experienced forward, who has signed a contract until the summer of 2025,ย is expected to go straight into the Colchester squad for their game at Swindon Town this weekend.

Speaking to the U's website, he said: "There's been a lot of travelling; I'm obviously buzzing to get here now and I can't wait to get started.

"I hadn't played the last couple of games in Scotland and I was playing out of position, so I think it was upon myself to sort of ask the question to the manager if I was ever going to be back in the team and if I was ever going to get back in my position and play.

"I wasn't so I kind of needed to look elsewhere.

"I haven't had the best two years playing games and obviously I've been injured for a while and I feel like this is probably the right step for me to take to go and get games and obviously get my career back on track."

Gazette:

Wilkinson started his career at Millwall before joiningย Championship side Bolton Wanderers.

After four years with Bolton, he had spells atย Gillingham, Leyton Orient and Walsall before joining Motherwell, last summer.

Wilkinson has made 19 league and cup appearances for Motherwell this season and is now embracing a new challenge, at Colchester.