Colchester United have signed former Watford goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin on a free transfer.
30-year-old Rene joins the club after his contract with the Premier League side expired at the end of June.
He had spent three years with the Hornets and, having started with Walsall, his previous career has seen him spend time with Plymouth, Crawley and Yeovil.
He will provide competition for U's shot stoppers Sam Walker and Dillon Barnes in the coming season.
Rene will also assume first team coaching responsibilities and has taken that role after the departure of Ademola Bankole from the club during the close season.
Ademola, known to all at the club as George, spent nearly a decade at the club after originally joining the U's in February 2008.
Director of Football Tony Humes said: "We have signed Rene Gilmartin as player/coach in another part of the restructuring of the club.
"Rene will provide goalkeeping competition for Sam Walker and Dillon Barnes in the first team, whilst assuming the coaching responsibilities at senior level.
"Rene is a fully qualified coach and has shown his aspirations by gaining his qualifications at a young age while continuing his playing career.
"He will also work closely with Paul Smith (Head of Academy Goalkeeper Coaching) in the development of all goalkeeping programmes at the club and identifying future goalkeepers for the future.
"George Bankole has left the club as part of the restructure and we would like to wish George the very best for the future and thank him for the work he has done during his time at the football club."
We'll have more from Rene soon and the 6'5" keeper is expected to be with the U's travelling party when they go to Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday.
Picture courtesy of Watford FC