Doug Loft says he is excited about the prospect of playing for Colchester United after joining them on a two-year deal.

The 29-year-old, who has made more than 300 league and cup appearances during his professional career, has arrived at the U's after being released by Gillingham at the end of last season.

Loft told the Daily Gazette: “I’m really excited about this new fresh challenge and I really feel there are a lot of new, fresh things happening at the club that I want to be a part of."

Loft, a former England youth international, signed for Brighton and Hove Albion in 2006 and made nearly 50 league and cup appearances for the Seagulls in addition to having a loan spell at Dagenham and Redbridge, before leaving them to join Port Vale in 2009.

The experienced midfielder played for the Valiants for five years and clocked up nearly 200 league and cup appearances for them, scoring 19 times, before joining Gillingham on a free transfer in 2014.

Loft has spent the last two seasons at Priestfield and captained the Gills but is now moving on to a new challenge, helping Colchester push for promotion in League Two.

For a full interview with new U's signing Doug Loft, see Monday's Daily Gazette.