Having wrapped a couple of loan deals for new players earlier on Transfer Deadline Day, Colchester United have added to their defensive options with a permanent signing.
The new addition to the U’s back line is Aaron Barnes, who has come in from Charlton Athletic.
The 21-year-old full back has joined from the League One side where he has spent five years after joining from Arsenal.
Barnes was an ever present for the Addicks as they won the Under-18s league and cup double three years ago, and also helped his former club to the Under-23s league title in 2016.
Having made his Charlton first team debut at the end of last season, Barnes featured in all three of their Checkatrade Trophy group games this season.
He also had a brief loan stint with Torquay earlier this month, making his only appearance in their 1-1 draw at Vanarama National League leaders Macclesfield last weekend.
As well as bringing in Barnes on a permanent basis, Colchester boss John McGreal has also been busy arranging loans deals for new players on deadline day.
He had earlier landed Queens Park Rangers winger Olamide Shodipo and Doncaster Rovers striker Liam Mandeville and added to the list of new players with the loan signing of highly-rated midfielder Ben Stevenson from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 20-year-old has joined from the high-flying Championship side, having completed a permanent switch there from Coventry City earlier on deadline day.
Having progressed through the ranks at the Sky Blues, Stevenson played 48 times for their first team after making his debut at the start of the 2016/17 campaign.
His performances have attracted plenty of attention from Championship clubs and Wolves, currently sitting pretty at the top of the table, got their man for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday.
A technical midfielder who is comfortable on the ball, Stevenson has made 12 appearances after recovering from an ankle injury, as Coventry have established themselves among the front runners in the League Two promotion race.
The U’s have said his move will be completed subject to paperwork clearance.
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