Released Blues midfielder Cole Skuse has agreed to join Colchester United on a two-year deal from July 1st.

TWTD revealed at the start of the month that Skuse, 35, had been spotted at the JobServe Community Stadium with close friend and former Blues defender Wayne Brown, who is currently the manager of Maldon & Tiptree, a club with close links with the U’s.

Colchester director of football Tony Humes, another former Town defender, is pleased to get the deal done so early in the window.

“It's fantastic for us to get Cole in and done so quickly,” he told the League Two side’s official website.

“He's a quality midfielder that will certainly add to what we have here already, but he's also a great role model to have around our younger players.

“His standards and professionalism will always be extremely high and that can only be good for the other lads.

“Playing the number of games he has, at the level he has, proves how good his footballing qualities are, and him being here is great for the club and can only be good for the likes of Noah Chilvers and Brendan Wirdeu to learn from.”

Skuse joined Town from Bristol City in the summer of 2013 on a free transfer and made 268 starts and 10 appearances from the bench. He was a key member of the Blues side which reached the Championship play-offs in 2014/15.

The U's are also understood to be keen on signing Alan Judge, Freddie Sears and Luke Chambers who also left Portman Road at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, former Blues centre-half Tom Eastman, 29, has extended his stay at Colchester for a further two years having moved to the U's from Town in the summer of 2011.

Photo: Pagepix

Timefliesbyintheblue added 15:47 - May 25 What a good move for all concerned. Sometimes maligned at ITFC, but only by those with a poor insight into the game in general. I wish him well, and Colchester you have made an astute signing.
47

BlueBertie added 15:54 - May 25 Good for him but he should be playing for a team at the bottom end of the 4th division.
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chicoazul added 15:55 - May 25 Good luck Cole!
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Cookycrew added 15:56 - May 25 A good (late career) 2 year deal for a good reliable Pro. Served us well for many years.
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tractor_lady added 15:56 - May 25 That's a very good move for them...
13

acj added 15:56 - May 25 Hope he does well there! Reckon that's a really good signing for them.
19

ImAbeliever added 16:06 - May 25 Good man
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rogie_dog added 16:10 - May 25 Good man Skusie
9

istanblue added 16:22 - May 25 Found his level.
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norfolkbluey added 16:26 - May 25 All the very best at Colchester. You will be a good servant there as you have been at Ipswich and the bonus is you won't have to move House.
11

Saxonblue74 added 16:27 - May 25 Good luck to him. Came in for a lot of criticism after the "proper blokes" comment, but those two words sum him up perfectly. The game could do with a few more.
15

Skip73 added 16:32 - May 25 Saxon, Town could've done with a few more last season instead of the spineless wimps that bottled it every week.
9

Pencilpete added 16:33 - May 25 No issues with Skuse for me, I'm glad he is fixed up at a decent club and doesn't have to uproot his family. I wish him well and I think he'll do a decent job for them
13

BigHibbs added 16:33 - May 25 you couldnt really say he has declined, as this year was mainly injured and last season he was as consistent as always. A super signing in league 2. They are putting good squad together for next that could have quite a few players from Micks time here ! Nouble, Smith and Gerken already there. Plus Skuse. Potentially Sears and Chambers ? I for one will be going up the a12 to watch a few games !

7

Welshblue72 added 16:34 - May 25 All the best Cole, I'm glad the players we released are signing up to new clubs but wish we had a player or 2 all ready committed to joining us. I know it's early yet but we only seem to be getting the backroom sorted. Not panicking yet but don't want to just be replacing players with out of contract or over the hill players looking for a last chance. Come on town give us something to start looking forward too 💙

5

Suffolkboy added 16:55 - May 25 The ‘worries ‘ expressed about the future Town squad are only too well understood ! But for Cole Skuse we should all be thankful for his contribution at ITFC ; often much under appreciated ,he has a professionalism ,solidity of character ,and a footballing intelligence which should do much to improve and stabilise the Colchester unit ! I wish him every bit of good fortune ,both in his new ‘home ‘ but also for his family ! COYB

15

Cheshire_Blue added 17:11 - May 25 Well said Suffolkboy. Still those with little knowledge of the game want to criticise him.
3

algarvefan added 17:16 - May 25 Often did our teams dirty work, model pro and a nice guy (which you never get much praise for!!), I wish him well at Colchester, they have got a good 'un there.
8

Woodbridgian added 17:20 - May 25 Top man underrated and unfairly criticised by some who post on here. Will do great job for Col U.
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1RWR added 17:43 - May 25 BlueBertie: You should be totally ashamed of yourself & your comment. The guy's had 8 good years at ITFC, time to say "thanks Cole & all the best at Col U" rather than the sour comment you put in. Istanblue: I don't think your comment was called for either. If you've nothing positive to say then don't say it. Lord above, some people!
6

DifferentGravy added 17:53 - May 25 Do you ever stop moaning Cheshire Blue. Even when people are passing on their best wishes you still have to find fault. Reading your comments back its just one snipe after another. The club is rebuilding and hopefully with a positive (and realistic) mindset.
5

Bert added 17:59 - May 25 Cole Skuse is a decent and solid footballer who will probably become CUFC's club captain. For as long as ITFC and CUFC are not in the same league, I hope Cole can give his new club something that he was never given credit for with us.
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leftie1972 added 18:05 - May 25 Congratulations Cole, good luck with your new club.
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coolcat added 18:16 - May 25 Congratulations Cole on your move to Colchester. He read the game well. Underrated and understated. Pleased to see there's not too much disruption to his move to a new club. Will certainly go and watch a game or 2 there.
0

cat added 18:29 - May 25 I don't dislike Skuse I just don't rate him as highly as some on here. You judge a player by success, enough said. What really makes me laugh is posters who say if your opinion differs to theirs then you know nothing about football. That comment is pathetic and embarrassing to say the least, but then that's Cheshireblue to a tee 🤣
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