COLCHESTER United have completed the signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Perry on a permanent deal.
The U's have signed the 20-year-old from the Reds for an undisclosed fee, making him their fifth summer signing.
Perry, who spent the second half of last season on loan at League One side Northampton Town, has signed a three-year deal with Colchester.
We’re delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Ben Perry from Nottingham Forest.
— Colchester United FC (@ColU_Official) July 9, 2025
The 20-year-old midfielder and former Forest U21 captain joins on a three-year deal after impressing on loan at Northampton last season.
Read more below ⬇️#SignedBlueAndWhite | #ColU
Perry played in all of the Cobblers' remaining 17 League One matches, after joining them in January.
He told cu-fc.com: "It was invaluable. Going there and into a first team changing room and playing men’s football, I’ve learned so much from my time there, and I’m really hoping to kick on even more this season."
Perry played for Forest's under-21s in the EFL Trophy in both the 2023/24 and 24/25 seasons.
He is a former academy team-mate at Forest of Jamie McDonnell, who enjoyed such a successful loan spell at Colchester from the Premier League club last season.
Speaking about McDonnell, new U's signing Perry added: "He said how, from the start, he felt really welcome by everyone at the club and was speaking about how good the fans were every game.
"After speaking to him, it really helped me with my decision."
