Colchester United are delighted to announce the signing of twenty-three-year-old defender Miles Welch-Hayes, subject to approval from all the relevant bodies.

Miles joins after leaving Macclesfield Town at the end of January, and joins the U’s on a deal that will run until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The right-sided defender has experience of playing in League Two, having played in twenty-four games already for the Silkmen this season, netting his first Football League goal in a 1-1 draw away at Walsall in December.

Speaking to Colchester United after signing, he said “I had a few options, but this is the best one for me, I’m very happy to be here.”

“Colchester United are a very good team, everyone in League Two knows that playing against them will be a tough game. They have a big name and a lot of teams fear playing against Colchester.”

“It’s a big club, and hopefully I am able to help them push on.”

Welch-Hayes will not travel to Salford with the first team this weekend, remaining at Florence Park to train, but should meet up with the squad on Monday.