Colchester United have welcomed back former player Jamal Campbell-Ryce to take on a new look coaching role at the club.
Jamal, who enjoyed a loan spell with the U's in the 2005/6 promotion season, will join as an U23s Player/Coach, as the club look to guide more players through the ranks and into the first team.
Speaking about Jamal's arrival, Director of Performance Jon de Souza said: "Jamal will be joining us as an U23s player/coach, working in training with the U18s and U23s, to play in the U23s fixtures and to mentor players on a one to one basis.
"He was a flair based forward in his career, and we believe that they are often the type of players who need help within our squad to develop the right application and desire to continue to progress.
"Through his career, Jamal has learned a lot and knows that, in that position and at that young age, you have to learn to do a lot more off the ball and to apply yourself fully on and off the pitch to end up having a long life in the game.
"He had a brief loan spell here and knows Dean Gerken from his time at the club, so has that connection with the football club and knows what is required."
Jamal will be involved in the U23s fixtures this season in that dual role and Jon believes it will help both those players who are progressing through the ranks and those that are ready to go out on loan.
"We want to go that bit younger in the U18s and U23s to accelerate their development, but at times last season we were perhaps a bit too young.
"Rather than hold back those slightly older players who are ready for the first team or for loan spells elsewhere, he will be able to help them in games and provide some experience in those matches."
Jamal is not the only change to the coaching staff as the U's get themselves set for the coming months.
Adam Lewis, who has enjoyed a successful stint at U15s and U16s level, will now move up to work with the U17s and to work alongside Liam Bailey with the U18s.
"Adam has been with us for five years now, including three years with the U15s and U16s," Jon added.
"In that time, those age groups have seen players gain recognition for England, play for the first team and be sold to Premier League sides and Adam has played a strong part in that alongside the other coaches.
"We think it's the right progression for him at this time and a recognition that we like to promote from within."