Danny Collinge has joined AFC Sudbury on loan.
The young defender will stay with the Isthmian League North side until January, looking for as much competitive football as he can get in the next three months.
He was a regular for the U's U23s last season, and was involved with the first team during pre-season this time round.
He will follow in the footsteps of many of the U's youngsters by heading out on loan, with Director of Football Tony Humes saying: "Danny's another player that should benefit massively from playing regular competitive football now."
"As I've said before, these moves are put in place to help our young players develop, and I hope that Danny will be an asset to Sudbury as well in his time there."
AFC manager Mark Morsley said: "I want to thank Colchester manager Steve Ball for assisting with this loan move, he felt that a spell with us would be good for Danny."
"Me and Bally worked together at Leiston some years ago and I and really pleased he is doing so well at the U’s."
On the player, Morsley went on: "Danny is clearly a player with great pedigree, technically very good and having spoken to him I feel it will be a great fit.
"He will come into the team for the game at Basildon to add a bit extra to our defence."