FRANK Nouble has revealed Colchester United chairman Robbie Cowling sent him a text message following his move to League One side Plymouth Argyle.

Nouble signed for the Pilgrims this week, after the U's decided not to retain the experienced forward's services amid the financial implications of Covid-19.

The 28-year-old, who made 92 league and cup appearances for the U's, left Colchester following their League Two play-off defeat against Exeter City, at the end of last season.

He has now signed for the newly-promoted Pilgrims - and revealed U's supremo Cowling has been in touch since Nouble sealed the move.

Nouble told Plymouth Live: "It’s very good, I’m excited to be here in general.

"The chairman at Colchester (Robbie Cowling) text me the other day and said ‘You have had a little mini-promotion’.

"I can look at it that way, but the most important thing for me to come here was the manager, just the size of the club as well and the fanbase.

"I’m lucky enough to be in League One now, but I have been there before.

"Hopefully, I can stamp my authority and do as well as I can."

Nouble admits playing in the League Two play-offs for Colchester against Exeter was a 'difficult' experience.

Nouble - along with Ryan Jackson, Luke Prosser and Brandon Comley - had been told a few weeks earlier that their contracts would not be renewed by the U's past this summer.

Colchester lost 3-2 on aggregate against Exeter, to miss out on the Wembley play-off final.

Nouble said: "That was a difficult one for me and three other lads that got told there wouldn’t be a new deal, considering how much we thought we had done for the club.

"We played every minute practically. We brought £2 million to the club with a cup run, and all stuff like that.

"So you take things like that personally, but, at the same time, understand it’s a business as well and the chairman was brilliant was with us the two years I was there.

"It was difficult to play in those conditions, let alone the Covid.

"You try to put yourself in the shop window a little bit and do as well as you can but, at the same time, it’s a shame that we couldn’t continue what we started.

"It’s a new day and I’m here now so I’m happy."