Marley Marshall Miranda has signed a new contract at Colchester United.
The young midfielder made his U's debut in September, and has been rewarded with a new contract until the summer of 2023.
Marley spent time in the Brighton & Hove Albion Academy, before being released as an U16s players during the 2018/19 season.
Academy staff at Brighton recommended him to the U's, and a trial period was set up here in north Essex.
After scoring in his first game against Ipswich, and impressing further in another couple of fixtures, he was offered a scholorship and started full time at the club in the summer of 2019.
Fast forward just one year, and pre-season 2020 saw Marley fully involved with the first team squad.
Once the build-up matches were finished, he came off the bench to make his debut in the Carabao Cup tie at Reading.
Another substitute appearance came in the EFL Trophy game at Portsmouth three days later, before he made his league debut on September 12th at Bradford, again as a second half substitute.
Head Coach Steve Ball was pleased to have another young player taking his opportunity to play first team football at the JobServe Community Stadium.
He told cu-fc.com: "Marley fully deserves this new contract as a reward for coming into the squad and showing us the potential he has."
"It's common knowledge that we bring players through our Academy, but they still have to be good enough for us to consider playing them in first team fixtures.
"Along with the others that have made their debuts this season already, Marley has shown us that he is good enuogh, and I'll continue to throw him and those others into games when we want to."
If you wnat to sponsor Marley's kit, get in contact - ben.conway@colchesterunited.net or give Ben a call on 01206 755107.