Tom Eastman has signed a new two-year deal at Colchester

The 29-year-old defender joined the club in 2011 from Ipswich and has made 411 appearances in all competitions for the U’s.

That total has put Eastman into the top 10 appearance-makers for the Sky Bet League Two club.

Colchester later announced the arrival of experienced midfielder Cole Skuse on a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old was released by Ipswich at the end of the season, having spent eight years at Portman Road.

Director of football Tony Humes said: “Cole is a quality midfielder that will certainly add to what we have here already, but he’s also a great role model to have around our younger players.

“Playing the number of games he has, at the level he has, proves how good his footballing qualities are, and him being here is great for the club and can only be good for the likes of Noah Chilvers and Brendan Wiredu to learn from.”