COLCHESTER United goalkeeper Mark Cousins has signed a new two-year contract at the club.

The Chelmsford-born 24-year-old could have left on a Bosman this summer but has agreed to extend his stay at the club following his best season to date.

Cousins – who was at Fulham as a youngster before joining Colchester’s youth set-up – was at a crossroads last summer.

He’d just failed to make a single appearance under manager Aidy Boothroyd in 2009/10 due to the top form of Ben Williams between the sticks and was considering a loan move away to gain some first team experience.

An injury to the latter in pre-season handed Cousins his chance though and he took it with a string of impressive performances in the opening 12 games of the season. Williams eventually regained his place but Cousins again returned for a four game spell in February.

With Carl Pentney also having signed a new contract, Ward has three keepers to select from for next season.

There are now just two players who could potentially walk away from the U’s for nothing this summer. Player of the Season David Perkins and leading league scorer Ian Henderson are both negotiating new deals.

Defenders Tom Eastman and Michael Rose have both been signed on free transfers, while Steven Gillespie, John White, Andy Bond and Matt Heath have all signed new contracts.

Six players – Medy Elito, Simon Hackney, Lee Beevers, Conor Powell, Sam Corcoran and Morten Knudsen – have all been released, while the academy trio of Bradley Hamilton, Jordan Sanderson and Craig Arnott have signed professional contracts.