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.

Photo: Action Images

bluetown added 20:50 - May 19 I hope PJ is running up huge phone bills, as he has to get in; CH, MID x 2 Bullard will not be here next year, and GK, just to be where we were at the end of this season.
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h32 added 21:31 - May 19 ......... another one leaves the sinking ship - soon won't have anyone much left. Oh silly me - I forgot about ALL those players coming in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .......... or am I still dreamin' ? ....... thought so !
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 21:37 - May 19 Good move for all concerned despite the lack of any transfer fee for various reasons. I don't think Tom's quite up to Championship level if I'm honest but hope he goes on to prove me wrong. Good luck Tom.
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h32 added 21:39 - May 19 ........ even the most dedicated supporter must now be asking:- What the h#ll is happening to this once great club ? Eastman is typical of the players we must have, and keep, if this Club has any sort of decent future ahead of it. Rapidly giving up on it now - and I guess I'm not alone. How much more can sensible support take ??
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WarkyWonderLand added 21:50 - May 19 Perhaps some people should give up now and leave those supporters to do just that, and SUPPORT the club. Not worth coming on here to read such negativity.
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h32 added 21:52 - May 19 james1989 - maybe not a moaner, but certainly another dreamer - has it not occurred to you ?- Where are all these incoming players coming from ??????????? Wait and see, wait and see, wait and see, wait and see - isn't that what we have been doing for far too long already. All I've 'waited to see' - is the situation getting worse by the day with more, and more, b#llsh#t being fed.

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h32 added 21:56 - May 19 Warkywonderland - wake up - you may just see some of it yourself. You'll be the only one's left anyway the way this Club is going, and you'll be satisfied as long as a ball is kicked - never mind the level at which that happens. Just keep coughing up, and be satisfied, as you are.
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WarkyWonderLand added 22:04 - May 19 h32, I thought you had gone on holiday last week as you said Adios!! Just saying what are others are thinking. This club will be here long after you thats for sure!! If you think that Eastman is the sort of player we must have and keep for any decent future then best you get down to Specsavers!! Season finished 2 weeks ago and how many teams have signed any players? At least we have a football manager now who knows what he is doing and having to sort the mess from the last 2 years under the dark lord. Happy holidays!!

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h32 added 22:28 - May 19 Warkywonderland - just keep dreamin' of ALL those star players coming in - when/where from only people like you seem to know. Perhaps when you come back from your holidays they'll all be here. Don't go for a few months though - or you may just be disappointed. No - you wouldn't be disappointed whatever. ..... how many teams have signed players yet ? - not all are as desperate as us to do so - August will soon be here, players will not be signing whilst on holiday which means nothing happens much in June / July - and where are we then ??

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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:34 - May 19 Eastman is league 1 standard at best, and, although i wish him well, me thinks he will still struggle to make an impact at col u. He has very little pace & his distribution is woefull at times so cutting these players from our wage bill is a positive move on the clubs part. Mr Jewell will find a quality centre half in good time as well as other players in key positions, it,s early doors yet as the season still hasn,t finished. Have patience some of you & see what unfolds.

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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:57 - May 19 John Lyall inherited a dire mess when he took charge 20 odd years ago, got rid of the dead wood, signed players who were hardly household names & duely got us promoted to the inaugral premier league in 2 seasons. I see similar things happening under Mr Jewell, keep the faith fellow town supporters.
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abingdon_blue added 23:02 - May 19 I remember watching Eastman and Smith playing for the reserves against Oxford and looked like they had the makings of a fantastic defensive partnership. I know it was only reserve level but he looked to have the ability to be a good solid central defender. Can take a great free kick too. Good luck to him. I think Colchester have got a bargain.
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michaeldownunder added 23:06 - May 19 not much of a loss back up player at Ipswich to back up player at Colchester poor range of passes, Div one will prob suit him
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bluearmy89 added 00:10 - May 20 About as useful as Kerry Katona being a role model for her kids!! Good luck though!
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bostonusablue added 01:47 - May 20 Not good enough which is why he left. Jewell knew it, and more importantly, Eastman knew it. Why are people moaning about him leaving when he was hardly in the first team squad?
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francisb123 added 07:19 - May 20 good luck tom. Don't think he was good enough here though.
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h32 added 19:07 - May 20 abingdon blue - good sensible assessment and post - so easy for idiots to forget that this lad is still learning his trade, and has to rely on the Club providing the coaching he needs. This doesn't make him a failure in the least - alas another with potential leaves the scene, and adds to the already long list. Shameful.
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