Aussie midfielder joins U's Academy.
"He trained with us and we managed to arrange a couple of friendlies that he was able to play in.
Head of the Academy, Tony Humes explained: "Last season, Patrick came over from Australia for a month or so after he was recommended to us by a contact we have over there.
That process is now complete and he is in the squad for the game against Plymouth Argyle at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.
The U's have signed Australian teenager Patrick O'Shea after the midfielder completed a successful trial with the club - and the U's negotiated an in-depth administrative process to get him into English football.
Colchester United's youth team are in action in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night - and the match could see the Academy's latest signing make his club debut.
"We were suitably impressed and put the wheels in motion to bring him over to join up with the squad.
"What we didn’t know was how slowly the wheels turned in bringing a young player to England from across the world. Getting clearance was certainly a long and arduous process that has taken almost a year.
"A lot of credit has to go to our Academy Secretary Jennifer Aves and Head of Education Vanessa Osbourn, who have both worked wonders with the administrative side of things.
"Jen had to put all the correct paperwork in place with the relevant bodies and Vanessa had to put an education plan in place that satisfied FIFA and UEFA.
"It was all understandable protocol, seeing as we were moving a young lad from one side of the world to the other to play football. It was frustrating at times though but we and Patrick have been patient and the move has finally happened for him."
Patrick has been training with the U's U18s and U21s sides in recent weeks and watched with interest as the U18s have got off to a flier this season, winning their first thirteen games before a weekend defeat to Northampton.
Tony added: "I’m sure that it will take him a little while to settle but having spoken to him at length, he can’t wait to get started.
"He is a strong and athletic midfielder, who is very good technically and a player who we have high hopes for.
"That’s almost obvious because we have taken him from across the globe to make him our player.
"He is with us for the next couple of years and we hope that he will push on through the youth team, U21s and eventually into the first team."