U's Complete Lockwood Deal

Colchester United have completed a deal to bring Nottingham Forest defender Matt Lockwood to North Essex.

Lockwood signs for a fee believed to be £100,000 and is the U's second summer acquisition, following the arrival of Matt Heath. The 31-year-old has agreed a move to the U's after lengthily talks with U's officials. He has put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal.

Lockwood operates as a left full-back, and is also known as a dead-ball specialist. He started his career as a trainee with Queens Park Rangers in 1995, but failed to make a first-team appearance. He made his first senior impact at Bristol Rovers, making 58 league appearances for them. In 1998 Lockwood moved East to Leyton Orient, where was an integral part of the team.

In 2006, FourFourTwo magazine named Lockwood as the 47th best player outside England's top-flight. In September of that year Lockwood scored an incredible hat-trick for O's, despite playing defence, against Gillingham. Essex-born Lockwood was Orient's leading goal-scorer that campaign, netting an impressive 11 goals. He was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year for 2006-7. Overall he played 375 times in his nine year tenure with the O's, scoring 50 goals.

In July of last year he activated release-clause in his contract at Brisbane Road, as he signed for Forest for an undisclosed fee. Lockwood warmed the bench for most of the campaign as Forest won promotion to Championship.

His switch from recently promoted Forest will be completed subject to clearance on his paperwork by the Football Association and Football League.

Vital Colchester would like to welcome Matt and wish him all the best for his U's career.