Tom Eastman has signed a new two-year contract with Colchester United.

Centre-half Eastman’s current deal expired this summer, but the 25-year-old has handed the League Two club a boost by extending his stay through to the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

Eastman arrived at Colchester from Ipswich Town in 2011, and is now the U’s longest serving player.

He has so far rattled up 214 league appearances for the U’s. He was ever-present in 2014-15, missed just three league games the following season, and returned after injury (two-month absence in February and March) to play 35 league games last term.

“I had an option on my contract on the club’s side, and they decided to take that up and keep me,” enthused Eastman.

“I signed an extra year on top so my contract is for the next two years.

“I’m really looking forward to being here for another two years and getting us back into League One.”

Eastman returned with his fellow U’s first teamers to training today.

He said: “We always know that the first day back is going to be pretty tough, but the lads work hard over the summer so they’re ready for pre-season.

“I think they’re all happy to be back,” added Eastman.