Colchester United have completed another new signing, their eighth of the summer, by recruiting Craig Slater from Kilmarnock, for an undisclosed fee.

East Anglian Daily Times: Craig SlaterCraig Slater (Image: 2015 Jeff Holmes)

Glasgow-born 22-year-old Slater is a midfielder who has represented Scotland from under-16 up to under-21 level.

He has totalled 76 league appearances for Scottish Premier outfit Kilmarnock, including scoring four goals in 32 first-team outings last season.

He had other options for next season, before opting to move down to England and sign for the League Two U’s instead.

U’s boss John McGreal enthused: “We’re delighted to have signed Craig (Slater).

“He has a good range of long passing, is good in possession and closes down opponents well.

“I’m delighted that we have managed to attract him down to Colchester, because he did have options, including Aberdeen,” added McGreal.

New recruit Slater revealed: “I could have stayed up in Scotland, but I felt it was time for a change, and a different environment,

“I’ve been up there for a good few years, and played a lot of good games, but I felt this was a new challenge for me and something I wanted to do.”

Meanwhile, U’s young striker, Femi Akinwande, has signed a new one-year contract.

The Essex club have also confirmed that they will be playing away at Southend United in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 30.