Colchester United under-23 boss Wayne Brown says more signings will follow for the development squad after they completed the capture of midfielder Sam Warde.

The Republic of Ireland under-18 international has joined the U's academy on an initial one-year deal, following Dan Jefferies to the club following his arrival from Swansea City, last week.

Brown, who saw his under-23 side lose 6-3 to Southend United's youngsters in a friendly at Florence Park this afternoon, says they are on the lookout for more signings ahead of the new season.

Brown said: “We’re still trying to add to the squad at the moment and it’s a work in progress.

“We’re still a little bit light in the centre-half department but it should be OK, once we get the next couple of weeks out of the way and we’ll get some more in."

Warde has joined Colchester after leaving the newly-promoted Premier League side, earlier this summer.

He is the U's second signing from Huddersfield in recent months, following striker Rekeil Pyke's loan move from the John Smith's Stadium towards the end of last season.