Josh Thompson

JOSH Thompson has put pen to paper and signed a permanent contract with Colchester United.

Centre-half Thompson has impressed during his loan stint with the U’s, from League One rivals Portsmouth, and has agreed terms on a deal that will take him through to the end of the 2013-14 campaign.

Thompson has recently replaced Magnus Okuonghae in the heart of defence, to partner Tom Eastman, although the 21-year-old was sent off for a professional foul after just 10 minutes of the last game, a 3-1 defeat by Brentford, and so now faces a suspension.

He will serve his one-match ban at home to Swindon tomorrow.

U’s boss Joe Dunne enthused: “Josh has shown he is a player with tremendous ability and he has the potential to improve even further. He’s a good signing for us.”

Fellow loanee Jabo Ibehre, meanwhile, is currently mulling over the offer of a permanent deal with the U’s, after an initial three-month loan spell with the U’s.

Ibehre has returned to his parent club MK Dons, having picked up an abdominal injury during the 1-0 away defeat at Walsall.