Ryan Jackson has signed a new two year contract to stay in north Essex after a productive first season.
The twenty-seven year old signed last summer, and has been regular in John McGreal's side throughout the 2017/18 season.
He totalled forty-five appearances, with forty-two coming in League Two and one each in the three cup competitions - the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Checkatrade Trophy.
Speaking to the official website immediately after putting pen to paper, the former Gillingham man explained that he was pleased to have got the deal done well ahead of the new campaign.
He said: "You never want things dragging on while you're away on holiday in the summer, so it's great we were able to get it done this soon after the end of the season.
"I can now enjoy the summer and then come back fully ready for the challenge of the new season."
The 2018/19 campaign marks the U's third in League Two, but Jackson has seen enough positives to think it can be a successful season for the U's.
"We were all obviously disappointed that we tailed off but we weren't far away from the top teams in a lot of games," he added.
"We've also seen the likes of Courtney Senior and Ryan Gondoh come in and do well and added Harry Pell to the squad - he's a very good addition - so things are already starting to look positive for next season."