JUNIOR Tchamadeu says he is aiming to establish himself in Colchester United’s first team this season after signing a new contract with the club.

The teenage right-back became the U’s youngest-ever starting debutant last season when he featured against Grimsby Town at the age of 16 years and 349 days old.

Tchamadeu has signed a new contract with Colchester that will keep him at the JobServe Community Stadium until at least the summer of 2024.

And the youngster, who has featured in all of the U's friendlies so far this summer, is now aiming to kick on this season.

Tchamadeu told Col U TV: “I just want to start strong in pre-season and prove to the gaffer and everyone what I’m capable of.

“I want to carry on from last season, which was a good first season here.

“I’m just ready to kick on and start again.

“I’ve had the taste of it, last season and now I want to establish myself in the team.

“But I have to work hard, continue from last season and show everyone what I can do.

“I’m happy to have got the deal done.

“It’s something that I’ve been working towards since I started playing football, so it’s good news for me and my family to get it done and I’m ready to kick on, this season.”

Tchamadeu admits his senior debut for Colchester came as a surprise, last season.

The 17-year-old made a total of 11 appearances for the U’s first team, after making his debut.

“I wasn’t expecting it to happen as soon,” he said.

“It kind of came as a surprise but I was ready to take my chance, when it came.”

Tchamadeu joined Colchester last year, having been at Charlton Athletic from under-11 to 16 level.

He said: “I saw that there was a good pathway at Colchester and that I’d get opportunities and evidently, it’s shown.

“When I came here, it felt like a family here and everyone made me feel welcome.”

Tchamadeu is part of a Colchester squad that has benefited from an influx of experienced signings, this summer.

The likes of Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse, Frank Nouble, Freddie Sears and Alan Judge have all arrived, ahead of the new League Two campaign.

Tchamadeu added: “It’s important to have a lot of experienced players within a squad.

“They are players that I look up to and I’ll try and mirror their attitude.

“It’s very good that we’ve brought them in and hopefully, they can help me become a better player as well.”