FREDDIE Hinds says chatting to Sammie Szmodics about Colchester United made him even more excited about joining the club.

The 20-year-old striker has joined the U’s from Championship club Bristol City on loan until January.

Prior to making the move, he spoke to former U’s favourite Szmodics, who quit the JobServe Community Stadium to join the Championship club in June.

“I spoke to Sammie a couple of days ago and he had nothing but good things to say about the club,” said Hinds, who has initially linked up with Colchester’s under-23 squad.

“It made me even more excited to come here.

“It’s been enjoyable so far and I’m looking forward to it.

“It was a great result the other night (against Crystal Palace) and everyone is in a good place right now.

“I’ve been raring to go for a while now and I just want to get going to show what I can do and score some goals – hopefully that’ll be good for both me and the club.

“There’s a great mix between youth and senior players.

“I don’t expect to come straight in and play straight away.

“I’ve got to earn my place and I’m more than happy to do that.

“I’d love to come in and play straight away but realistically, I know I have to prove why I should play.”

Hinds has had plenty of experience of loan spells, having already spent time at the likes of Cheltenham Town, Wrexham and Bath City on a temporary basis.

The former Luton Town youngster made 14 appearances for the Robins and scoring once during a five-month spell at Whaddon Road, during the 2017-18 season.

“I was 18 when I went out on loan to Cheltenham,” said Hinds, who has made four appearances for the Robins since joining them on a two-and-a-half year deal from Luton Town in January, 2017 for an undisclosed fee.

“I didn’t start every game but the periods of games I did play and training with the first team squad day in, day out I learnt a lot and it’s only put me in a better position to come here and do well.

“I’ve had a couple of tough loans and I’m just trying to put one right.

“I hope this is the one where I can get started and kick on.

“I had a little bit of a taste when I first moved to Bristol City from Luton.

“I played a few games for Bristol and that was fantastic.

“But like a lot of young players, I’ve gone out on loan and that’s normally the route to go down.

“Hopefully it puts me in a better position to go back to Bristol and play there all the time.

“The good thing about being on loan is that you have to be out of your comfort zone and learn new ways, meet new people and play different ways.”