DANNY Cowley was pleased with Jayden Richardson's 'solid debut' for Colchester United against Bradford City.
And the U's boss believes the on-loan Aberdeen right-back can be a force in League Two this season, with his pace and athleticism.
Richardson officially signed for Colchester on Friday afternoon and started for them for the first time 24 hours later, helping them secure a point against the Bantams.
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The former Nottingham Forest youngster made a competent debut for the U's and head coach Cowley was pleased with the full-back's contribution.
Cowley said: "I thought considering the circumstances, he made a real solid debut.
"It wasn't easy for Jayden.
"It wasn't our plan to throw him straight in.
"We lost Ellis (Iandolo) late and we needed a really athletic flyer so we tilted the team the other way.
"To come in and train one day having travelled on Thursday afternoon is not easy at all.
"But he has real athleticism and you could see some of his speed; I think when the players start to see that, that flash, they'll be able to find him with their passes.
"He's too athletic for League Two; he has too much athleticism and too much pace."
Richardson, who scored for Exeter City against Colchester in the 2019-20 play-off semi-final, joined Colchester last week on loan until the end of the season from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.
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Cowley has revealed he tried to sign the 23-year-old during his time in charge of Portsmouth and is glad to have him at the U's.
"Jayden plays the game in a really good way for the way we like our teams to play," added Cowley.
"He's a boy that we do know well; he was a young player at Nottingham Forest when we first tried to sign him at Portsmouth.
"Unfortunately, Aberdeen gazumped us at the time and then he obviously got a really good move to Aberdeen.
"We're delighted to have him with us.
"I just see so much potential in Jayden and we're going to really help him in the next stage of his journey."
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