Midfielder Darren Ambrose has joined Colchester United on a one-year deal.

The 31-year-old had been training with the Blues during pre-season, looking to win a new contract having joined Town for a third spell last season.

Colchester manager Tony Humes said: "We're pleased to have Darren here and he gives us that experience and a bit of variation in terms of the positions that he can play and how he fits into the system.

"Darren has had a good career playing at Premier League and Championship level so he's got that quality and that experience.

"There's a variety of positions he can play in, whether it's outside or inside but first and foremost the wide position was one we were looking for with the player we failed to get in so that's probably where he'll start."

Ambrose, a product of the Blues’ Academy, who also returned for a loan spell while with Charlton, made three starts and five sub appearances for Town last season, netting his only goal in the 1-1 FA Cup third round draw at Southampton.

The Harlow-born midfielder previously played for the U's in a pre-season friendly against Town last summer.

Photo: Action Images

GeorgeITFC24 added 15:27 - Aug 6 Good luck to him
6

Bergholtblue added 15:28 - Aug 6 Did a bit of a job in his last spell here but I felt he lacked a bit of pace. I wish him all the best.
3

Europablue added 15:32 - Aug 6 I wanted him to get a contract with us, but I also wanted him to be so good that we couldn't refuse him. Hopefully he does the business at Col U.
3

Bluebongo added 15:36 - Aug 6 He,ll be outstanding in that division. Good luck Darren.l
4

pablosturn added 15:42 - Aug 6 Good player in his time, never had the ability, pace or fitness since returning to itfc. Good luck to him at Col U, but think games will still be thin on the ground for him there
0

StowTractorBoy added 15:44 - Aug 6 Not up to the standard required for the Championship I'm afraid and this is a good move for him. Wish him the best of luck for next season and he stays injury free.
1

MeenoITFC added 15:44 - Aug 6 Southampton hero. What a header!! Made it a wonderful day, all the best ambrose
3

ThatMuhrenCross added 16:04 - Aug 6 Shame he couldn't quite cut it in his second and third spells here. No doubt he's got the ability, but for one reason or another, it hasn't worked out. Best of luck at Colchester, Darren.
4

tractorboybig added 16:08 - Aug 6 not a mccarthy player, had a football brain and was the only player we had who passed it to an ipswich player. o well we know what to expect.
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runaround added 16:13 - Aug 6 Shame he couldn't rediscover the form of his first spell at ITFC but I wish him all the best
1

Trimleytractor added 16:24 - Aug 6 Good luck to him. Very talented player in his earlier days and I really wanted him to rediscover his ability here. Pity.
2

hoppy added 16:25 - Aug 6 I like the backhanded complimentary comment from Tony Humes... "There's a variety of positions he can play in, whether it's outside or inside but first and foremost the wide position was one we were looking for with the player we failed to get in so that's probably where he'll start." Seems a bit of a "well, you're not who we really wanted, but you'll do" kind of thing. Hopefully he'll do a bit better than that for them, and good luck to him.

2

BackTheBlues added 16:32 - Aug 6 Gutted for Ambrose and for the Town... He's one of our own and one with a lot of class in my eyes! Thanks for the time spent here Darren, always be one of my favourites!
9

borat_the_blue added 16:51 - Aug 6 Best for all parties concerned. Just a real shame we couldn't keep hold of you the last time you left. What might have been hey? All the best dazza!
1

Seasider added 16:55 - Aug 6 Not very diplomatic of Tony Humes sure MM wouldn't label him as second best before he had hardly crossed threshold. One of the players who have had three spells at club,the others being Jonny Wark and Richard Wright. Goes back a long way with Ipswich to George Burleys reign I believe,subsequently being sold by BFJ to Bobby Robsons Newcastle for about £2m on 25 Feb 2003.A good price for a player who hadn't played that many games. Exciting as a young player;but as now approaching twilight of his career,should do ok in Div 1. Thanks for the memories Darren.

2

jas0999 added 17:58 - Aug 6 Good move for him and Colchester. Far too injury prone and offered very little for us last season. So, pleased he has moved on and more importantly found a club close to home.
0

rkl added 19:06 - Aug 6 Good news, was afraid MM might use him this season. He lacked urgency, pace and desire ever since coming on at Wigan, where we almost dropped two points at the end. Best of luck to him though in Essex.
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Gforce added 19:42 - Aug 6 Good luck to him,but in all honesty was past it on his first return to the club.
0

Warkys_Tash added 19:45 - Aug 6 Seasider it was £1M to Bobby Robson's Newcastle. At the time they got a steal. Ambrose & Benty were great for us that season under BFJmas we tried to go straight back up. I remember we were 2-0 down at HT with 10 men as Pablo (?) had just been red carded. We ran out 3-2 winners.. Real shame it didn't work out for him. Still has the quality & looked good when he got a couple of games, & always has a goal in him just needed to stay fit. Good luck Darren

4

wayway added 20:57 - Aug 6 Well said tractorboybig. He does not fit the McCarthy ethic. He will not run through a brick wall but will instead look for the door
1

Hegansheroes added 21:18 - Aug 6 Would have preferred to have had him on a short contract then Tabb but maybe he doesn't run around like a headless chicken enough.
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WeWereZombies added 23:02 - Aug 6 Relieved he had not gone to Derby to rekindle the double act with Bent, that could have come back to sting us.
1

KiwiTractor added 08:32 - Aug 7 Warkys Tash, that come from behind 3-2 win with 10 men against Sheff Utd is still the best match I have ever attended. Gives me goosebumps!
1

essex57 added 12:52 - Aug 7 Bit disappointed good player from off the bench and what the years have taken off in pace he made up for with brain thought he was one of the better players at Colchester in the psf good luck to him and I'm sure he will make a difference to cufc season
1

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