Colchester United have signed defender Ben Goodliffe

The 25-year-old centre-back has agreed a two-year deal at the JobServe Community Stadium to become the U's third signing of the summer.

Goodliffe told the U's website: “It’s something that as soon as I heard about it, it was a no-brainer.

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"I feel like I needed a fresh challenge after being at Sutton for five seasons.

"This was something I was really looking forward to as soon a I heard about it.

“If you look at their [Danny and Nicky] profile, where they’ve been and what they’ve done with six promotions and some successful seasons with some great teams.

"So when the opportunity arose for me to come here, I was looking forward to it and can’t wait to get going.”

(Image: WWW.CU-FC.COM)

Goodliffe made more than 150 appearances for Sutton since joining them five years ago.

In his time at Gander Green Lane, he helped the club reach the EFL for the first time, as well as playing for them in the Papa John’s Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, in 2022.

Prior to playing for Sutton, the defender was on the books of Spurs as a youngster before joining Boreham Wood.

Goodliffe then joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2017 and was there for two years before linking up with Sutton, in 2019.

Colchester boss Danny Cowley told the U's website: “We first came to learn about Ben when he was at Boreham Wood.

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"We looked at him when we were at Portsmouth, and I know that Peterborough put a significant transfer offer into him this time last year.

"We see a player that has got a love for the game, which is so important and a commitment to be the best that he can be. He will improve us in both boxes.”