GEORGE Elokobi says he will always have a special connection with Colchester United – and wants them to win every game they play.

The popular former U’s defender is currently a free agent and on the lookout for a new club, having finished the season at National League outfit Aldershot Town.

Elokobi made nearly 100 league and cup appearances for Colchester in his two spells with the club, having initially joined them from Dulwich Hamlet in 2004.

The 33-year-old says he still looks out for the U’s results – and would love to see them secure promotion back to League One.

Elokobi told the Gazette: “There’s just something about me and Colchester.

“The football club gave me my first opportunity in professional football and I will be grateful forever more for that.

“Whenever I’ve pulled on the badge, I’ve made sure I’ve gone out to try and win no matter what.

“I’m always looking out for their results and keeping in touch with the lads on Twitter and Instagram, wishing them well.

“When they win, I’m happy for them and when they lose, I’m upset.

“I want to see them get promoted and they missed out on the play-offs by one point which was really, really hard to take.

“They were so close but it wasn’t quite enough to get into the play-offs.

“Hopefully, they’ll go again next season and who knows?”

Elokobi is hoping to secure a new club before the start of the new season – and the experienced former Wolves defender says he still has plenty to offer.

“I’m without a club at the moment and I’m happy to speak to any club that’s interested in my services,” said Elokobi.

“That’s what football is all about – I’m fit and healthy and still very hungry.

“I look after myself, which is important.

“I’ve also got a wiser head so whichever club gets my services will have more than just a footballer.”

Elokobi was back in a Colchester shirt recently when he was reunited with the U’s 2005-06 promotion-winning squad for a charity match at Southend United.

Phil Parkinson’s side, which included the likes of Neil Danns, Craig Fagan and Kevin Watson, ran out 6-3 winners over the Shrimpers, in the Sid Broomfield Trophy.

Elokobi added: “It’s always good to come back and reunite with the boys of 2005-06.

“To see the fans turn out to support the cause was amazing.

“That’s why we turned up in our numbers to make it a great occasion.

“We had an amazing season.

“We’ve been keeping in touch and it’s always good to come out and play a game with them.

“I enjoyed being out there on the pitch and the competitive edge is still there.

“I have a lot of gratitude for the players who were in the squad back then.

“The likes of myself and Greg Halford were among the younger players in the squad and we owe the older pros back then for helping us to go on and achieve so much in our careers.

“They had time for us to try and help us out and we took that on board, to try to move ahead with our careers.”