COLCHESTER United have made a triple signing to bolster their squad ahead of the new League Two season.

The U's have announced they have signed Alex Newby, Emyr Huws and Sam Hornby, their first new additions in this summer's transfer window.

Colchester have brought in former Rochdale player Newby on a two-year deal.

The 26-year-old midfielder, who started his career as a youngster at Bolton Wanderers, has signed after departing Dale this summer.

Newby (pictured below playing against Colchester last season) made 82 appearances across two seasons for the Dale, scoring 13 times.

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Colchester fans know all about Huws (pictured below), who has re-signed for the club on a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old made 12 appearances for the U's last season after joining them on a short-term deal, in January.

Huws had been in talks about remaining at the JobServe Community Stadium, after his contract came to an end and the two parties have now reached an agreement.

Huws started his career at Manchester City and had loan spells at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town.

Gazette:

The midfielder eventually left City to join Wigan on a permanent basis in September, 2014.

The 28-year-old played 11 times for the Latics and had a loan spell at Huddersfield Town, before leaving to join Cardiff City on a permanent basis in 2016.

Huws made four appearances for the Bluebirds before leaving to join Ipswich in January 2017, initially on loan.

He spent four seasons at Portman Road but left at the end of the 2020-21 campaign, at the end of his contract.

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Hornby (pictured above) returns to Colchester after his productive loan spell at the club, last season.

The 27-year-old goalkeeper arrives at the U's on a two-year deal, after joining from League Two rivals Bradford City.

Hornby, who had a year remaining on his contract at Valley Parade, made eight appearances on loan for Colchester.

He played in Colchester's final two games last season, helping them keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win at Hartlepool United on the final day of the season.