Alan Judge fourth released Ipswich Town player to sign for Colchester United

The former Ipswich Town contingent at Colchester United has grown further with the U's confirming the signing of Alan Judge.

The 32-year-old winger joins Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse and Freddie Sears in players who were part of The Tractor Boys' 2020/21 squad to go to the north Essex club.

Judge, who made 91 appearances in two-and-a-half seasons, scoring eight goals since arriving in Suffolk, has been heavily linked with the move since last month and has signed a two-year contract with The Jobserve Community Stadium outfit.

The Irishman did not play in Ipswich's final few matches of the 2020/21 season due to the fact that one more appearance would have taken him to 30, automatically triggering a one-year contract extension.

Judge, who started his career with Blackburn Rovers, and went on to play for the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Notts County and Brentford, told Colchester United's website it was an easy decision to join Hayden Mullins' side.

"More or less everything attracted me to the club," he said. "There is a good training ground and good young lads coming through, and there is now a good core group of experience.

"I was lucky enough to have a few offers from League One, but everything ticked the box here with what we are trying to do."

Location for his family, who are settled in the area, was also said to be an important factor in choosing the U's.

Colchester also announced yesterday that another former Blues player, Frank Nouble, has made his loan spell into a permanent move. It adds to a squad that also contains fellow Town players Tommy Smith, Tom Eastman and goalkeeper Dean Gerken as well as the Portman Road club's four recently released players.

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