Experienced defender signs.
.Colchester United have made their third addition of the January transfer window, with the signing of hugely experienced defender Nicky Shorey on a free transfer until the end of the season
The 34-year-old joins the U's after returning from India where he spent the last six months playing for Pune City.
The left back brings a wealth of footballing knowledge to the Weston Homes Community Stadium, having played 521 first team games for a host of clubs.
He started his career with Leyton Orient, where he caught the eye of Alan Pardew, who snapped him up in 2001 to move to Reading.
He was hugely popular at the Royals and in a first stint that lasted seven years, he played 267 times for the Madejski Stadium side.
In 2005/6, he was part of the Reading side that sealed the Championship title, collecting 106 league points along the way.
In 2006/7, he was a part of the Royals side that secured safety in the Premier League, a season where he earned his two England international caps.
When Reading were relegated to the Championship in 2008, he switched to Aston Villa and he played 25 times for the Midlands club during his time at Villa Park.
After loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Fulham, he joined West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2010 and he spent two years at the Hawthorns.
In those two seasons, he played 53 times for the Baggies, as they secured two comfortable mid-table finishes in the top flight.
Next was a return to Reading where he signed a one year contract, playing 17 times in 2012/13 and then he moved west to Bristol City.
He spent six months with the Robins, playing 14 times and last season he was with Portsmouth, playing a further 41 times.
Having left Portsmouth in the summer of 2015, he opted to head out to India, playing for FC Pune City, under the management of former England international David Platt.
But, with his contract up there, he returned to the UK and after training with the U's, he has now penned a deal until the end of the season.