U's duo Frank Nouble and Freddie Sears were also at West Ham

Nouble, who rejoined the U’s earlier this month on a two-year deal, was a team-mate of Sears at West Ham United in the Premier League, when the pair were both starting out in their professional careers.

The forward pair later also had a brief stint as team-mates at Ipswich Town and now they have been reunited again, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Nouble, 29, says he is relishing the prospect of again playing alongside Sears, who also joined Colchester earlier this month after arriving from Ipswich on a two-year deal.

Nouble said: “When I signed at West Ham, Searsy was the star boy there already.

“It was good to have him around the building at that time and I’m looking forward to bringing back some of the youth-team days.

“We’re a bit older now and we’ve got lots of experience, so hopefully we'll use that now to our advantage.”

Flashback - Frank Nouble pictured during his West Ham United days Picture: PA

Nouble is one of six new signings Colchester have made so far, this summer.

In addition to him and Sears, the U’s have also drafted in Cole Skuse and Luke Chambers – who Nouble also knows from his Ipswich days - along with Alan Judge and Luke Hannant.

“They’re all good names on paper and I’m looking forward to putting that into fruition,” said Nouble, who has rejoined Colchester on a permanent basis after playing for them on loan from Plymouth Argyle, in the second half of last season.

“I played with a few of those boys at Ipswich and I know them quite well.

“I’d be lying if I told you I’d haven’t been speaking to them!

“Searsy has been on my WhatsApp every day.

“Now it’s done, at least I can get a break from them until we meet up and go to work!

“The signings have been experienced players as well, so it’s a sign from the chairman that he’s trying to change a bit of his philosophy but at the same time with the players who are in the squad already, we can integrate well.”

Nouble is delighted to be back at Colchester on a two-year deal, as they prepare for a brand new League Two season.

The popular forward, who has made 112 appearances for the U’s in his two spells for the club scoring 17 times, says he is looking forward to continuing his strong relationship with the club’s supporters.

He added: “Win, lose or draw, the Colchester fans have always been the same with me in particular.

“I think I’ve always shown love back and tried to get involved with them.

“Obviously it’s been hard to respond to some of the messages from them until everything was finalised.

“But now that it is, we can hopefully look forward to a successful year.

“I’m buzzing to be back and very happy to be here, so hopefully they’ll see that in my performances.”