Teenager midfielder Byron Lawrence has put pen to paper on a one-year contract with Colchester United after leaving nearby Ipswich Town earlier this summer.
The 18-year-old has already featured twice for the U's Under-21 side of late and now becomes new Colchester boss Tony Humes's first signing.
"I think this is further evidence of how we're trying to bring exciting young talent into the club," Humes, who was yesterday announced as the Essex club's new manager, told the club website.
"We want to generate footballers for the first team via our own academy, but we also have to be aware of other good young players that may be around, especially if we feel that they're of a calibre that will make the first team."
Lawrence made just one senior appearance for Ipswich from the bench in April 2012.
