A highly-rated Nottingham Forest prospect says he is "really excited" to get started after completing a loan move for the upcoming season.
Full-back Josh Powell will play for League Two's Colchester United after impressing as a regular for Forest's U21s in the Premier League 2 and featuring during the Reds' pre-season.
"I’m really excited. When I first heard about the opportunity to come here, it was something I was definitely interested in," Powell told Colchester's club website.
"A few Forest boys have been here before, Aaron Donnelly, Jamie Mac, Pez is here now. I know the club have got a project in moving young players forward, and that definitely excited me."
Josh Powell of Nottingham Forest
Josh Powell of Nottingham Forest (Image: Getty Images)
Before departing, Forest's head of football development and talent management, Craig Mulholland, said: “This was an important loan for us to get right in this window, as it forms a critical next stage in Josh’s development journey.
“We are delighted, given the excellent relationship, to again entrust Danny (Cowley) and his team with another Forest talent. We have significantly enhanced our Player Pathways strategy, and all aspects of Josh’s loan will now be carefully monitored and, where appropriate, supported by our team."
Colchester United finished 10th in the fourth tier last season, three points adrift from the play-off spots, but will be hoping to improve this season with the acquisition of Powell and other targets.
Powell told the club website: "I’m high energy. I like to join in the attack, but I also think I’m quite good defensively.
"You can expect to see me being solid 1v1 defensively and defending the back post, but I can also get forward, deliver a few balls into the box, and hopefully contribute at set pieces as well."