Defender Tom Eastman has joined Colchester United on a two-year deal having turned down a six-month contract with the Blues. Eastman, 19, will be reunited with his former Town academy coaches Tony Humes and Richard Hall at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The centre-half joins the U’s on a free transfer as the Blues’ offer didn’t match the terms of his previous one-year deal.
Eastman says he's delighted to be joining his hometown side: "This is a great move for me and I'm joining a big club in this division.
"I was born in Colchester and have lived in Clacton all of my life, so it's great to be playing for my local club.
"I had a good spell in the first team last year and that's given me a taste for first team football and I have come here to try and develop next season.
"I am hoping to be around the first team and to play some games. Tommy Smith said he enjoyed his time here, so I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the players and getting started."
Colchester boss John Ward says Eastman provides competition for his other central defenders: "With Richard Hall and Tony Humes on our staff, we were well aware of Tom's background and pedigree and we have seen him play more recently for Ipswich's reserves.
"They had offered him a six-month contract which under the rules meant we were able to move in and get him on a free transfer and he'll be joining us for the next two years.
"As well as a player who can come in and compete now, he is also one for the future as well. We will have the senior three centre-halves to be challenged for their places by Tom and Tom Bender, and again it gives us good competition in that area.
"He has come to us to kick his career on and play some football, and this is a move that fits in nicely for him and for us."
Eastman made 12 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues, all under Roy Keane’s management. Having been sent off on his debut on the final day of 2009/10 against Sheffield United, the youngster nicknamed ‘Granddad’ by his academy team-mates made most of his Town appearances out of position at right-back before dropping out of the picture after Paul Jewell took over as boss.