Midfielder Byron Lawrence has joined Colchester United on a one-year deal. The 18-year-old has been on trial with the League One side, Town having made him available on a free transfer.
After featuring for Colchester's U21s yesterday evening, the former Histon schoolboy signed forms ending his time with Town and has become new U's manager Tony Humes's first signing since taking over following Joe Dunne's sacking yesterday.
The former Blues central defender said: "I think this is further evidence of how we're trying to bring exciting young talent into the club.
"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.
"Byron has shown in his two performances for the U21s that there is a good player there and we're pleased to have him on board."
Lawrence broke through into Town the first-team squad as a 15-year-old when he was an unused sub in the 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Northampton in August 2011.
He became the club’s second-youngest first-team player behind Connor Wickham when he came on as a sub aged 16 years and 47 days on the final day of the 2011/12 season in the 3-2 victory at Doncaster, but did not add to that appearance.
The midfielder, who was contracted until the end of the season, was some way from the Blues first team with younger players such as Teddy Bishop having moved ahead of him in the pecking order.