Colchester United midfielder Brendan Wiredu is looking up

Wiredu was one of the U's most impressive performers last season after joining them from Charlton Athletic in the January transfer window, playing his part in helping them secure their League Two status.

The 21-year-old midfielder has just agreed a new deal with Colchester which will keep him at the JobServe Community Stadium until at least the summer of 2023.

There has already been plenty of change at the U's this summer, following the appointment of Hayden Mullins as head coach and seven new signings coming in, along with a host of departures.

And after the toil of last season's relegation battle, Wiredu now wants to help the club challenge at the top end of the table.

He told Col U TV: "Everyone in the changing room knows what we want to do.

"We know what we're capable of and we're looking at top seven.

"Last season has gone; we're here now as a new bunch of players and ready to go and push up the table.

"Everyone has been training well and you can always pick of everyone.

"I'm sure they'll probably try and pick off me as well and everyone here is here to help each other.

"Recruitment has been excellent and I need these type of players to help me further my game."

Colchester announced Wiredu's contract extension this week, along with those of defensive duo Tommy Smith and Junior Tchamadeu.

"A little bit was said towards the end of last season but the focus was on staying up," said Wiredu.

"Then during the off season, there was contact with my agent about the offer of a new deal and I wanted it to happen as quickly as possible.

"I'm happy it's done and I can concentrate on the goals for this season."

Wiredu produced some consistent form in the final months of last campaign, leading to him being runner-up behind Noah Chilvers for the U's Player of the Season award.

In total, Wiredu made 20 appearances for Colchester last season, scoring once.

He added: "The relegation battle was a blessing in disguise for me personally.

"It made me mature quite quickly, being in a team that was struggling.

"Having to stand up and play the way I had to play helped me personally.

"At the end of it, we stayed up and that was the main goal, so I'm happy that happened.

"I haven't played so many games in such a short period of time and I was even carrying a bit of an injury for the last five games.

"I needed a rest but we got our goals and now it's just moving on to the new season and hopefully pushing up the table.

"There was only one goal and that was to stay up - I wasn't really thinking about myself.

"I was thinking about the team and trying to help us stay up.

"That happened, so we leave that behind us now and I've just been rewarded with the performances that I've been putting in with the contract."