NEW Colchester United signing Cameron Coxe says he is determined to seize his opportunity after returning to the Football League.

The 22-year-old right-back has signed for the U’s on a six-month loan from National League outfit Solihull Moors.

Coxe spent 14 years with Cardiff City, where he progressed through the academy to realise his dream and play for them at senior level before his release by the Bluebirds, last summer.

Now the Wales under-21 international is looking forward to a fresh challenge with Colchester and is determined to impress at his new club.

Coxe said: “My aim is to progress - I’m not one to just settle for whatever happens.

“I’m always trying to push myself and this for me, getting back in the League, is a big step again.

"I’ve got to take this opportunity with both hands and see what happens.

“When I first came in, I sat down with the manager (Hayden Mullins) and had a good chat.

“He said they’ve brought me in because they can see what I can do.

“He said that every time that we’re out on the training pitch or playing pre-season games, I’ve just got to work hard and show what I can do.

“He told me I’m going to get minutes in pre-season the same as everybody else and for me to work hard and do what I do.”

Gazette:

Coxe admits his loan switch to Colchester was something of a whirlwind move, last week.

“Last Monday or Tuesday, my agent gave me a ring to say there could be a potential loan move to Colchester,” said Coxe, who made 26 appearances for Solihull, last season.

“Then on the Wednesday night at about 8pm, I had a phone call saying that I needed to be in Colchester for Thursday morning at 9am!

“So I literally had to pack a little overnight bag and then get over to Colchester from Cardiff for Thursday morning.

“It all happened in no time but you never know what happens in football.

“It’s been great – settling in has been pretty easy because of all of the staff and the players being so welcoming and it’s been a good few days, with the lads.

“A big thing is that I’m starting pre-season with everyone else and I’m not playing catch-up.

“Going into a new club, you want to be there from the start with all of the new guys and the guys who have already been there.

“I’ve fitted in pretty well and I’ve got no complaints at all – the boys are great, the staff are great and they’ve been very welcoming.”