Colchester United are pleased to welcome defender Aaron Barnes to the club on a permanent basis.
The 21-year-old full back has joined from League One side Charlton Athletic, where he had spent five years after joining from Arsenal aged 16.
Aaron was an ever present for the Addicks as they won the U18s league and cup double three years ago, and also helped his former club to the U23s league title in 2016.
Having made his Charlton first team debut at the end of last season, he featured in all three of their Checkatrade Trophy group games ahead of a loan stint with Torquay earlier this month.
And he arrives at the U's with positive words from Charlton Academy manager Steve Avory, who told the Addicks' website: “In his five years here, he’s been an important player to whichever team he’s been in at that time, but he certainly needed some senior experience at this stage.
“Now he has the opportunity to get a move to a league club and I couldn’t be more pleased for him because it was becoming more difficult for him to see a pathway here beyond the successful one he has been on so far.
“Aaron has progressed here in every year he’s been with us. He’s such a good trainer, wants to learn, listens, asks questions, loves the game and just always wants to become better. He loves the game and is a real, solid character who you can rely on both on and off the field.
“We have the highest regard for him and his family and wish him all the best in the future.”