Colchester United defender Ryan Jackson has welcomed his reunion with Harry Pell – and is hoping there will be more new signings to follow.

Jackson, who this week signed a new two-year contract with the U’s, played alongside the midfielder when the pair were both on loan at Cambridge United during the 2011-12 season.

Pell became Colchester’s first summer signing earlier this month when he arrived on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee from League Two rivals Cheltenham Town.

And Jackson says he is looking forward to linking up again with the former AFC Wimbledon man.

Jackson told the Daily Gazette: “Harry is a good player and it’s great to have him on board.

“I know him from my days on loan at Cambridge.

“He’s a good lad and a character to have around the dressing room.

“The staff are working hard to bring in the right players and I’m sure there’ll be more to follow.

“As players, we want to achieve things as a team and that’s the aim, next season. Everyone wants to achieve things in life.

“Promotion was our aim this season and unfortunately it didn’t happen but looking at the team, we’ve shown that we’re capable of doing that because we’ve beaten some of the top teams.

“It was a learning curve for us, this season and I’m hoping that we can take that experience into next season and use it to our advantage.”

Jackson, who has agreed a new deal with Colchester until the summer of 2020, made 45 appearances for John McGreal’s side in his first season at the club.

The 27-year-old was one of the U’s leading appearance-makers, this season and the former Gillingham full-back says it was a positive experience.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Colchester so far and I’m excited to commit my future to the club for another two years,” said Jackson, who scored twice for the U’s, this season.

“I really enjoyed my first season at the club and I’m already really looking forward to next year.

“Playing near enough every week is the aim for any player so I was very pleased with how my first season went and fortunately, I stayed pretty much injury free.

“The way that Colchester play suited me down to a tee and that helped me to gel straight away.

“It’s a good group of lads and I’ve really enjoyed it.

“The staff are really good here and I like the way they manage and coach.

“I also have my own personal goals and next season, I want to add more goals and assists.

“Everyone knows I like getting forward and I enjoyed my role, whether it was right-back or right wing-back.

“Of the games that we played this season, the home game against Crawley was the one that stood out for me.

“We won 3-1 and I scored my first Colchester goal, in that game.

“It was a game that I really enjoyed.”