COLCHESTER United have snapped up their first new player of the summer, by agreeing to sign midfielder David Fox from Blackpool on a free transfer.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United have snapped up their first new player of the summer, by agreeing to sign midfielder David Fox from Blackpool on a free transfer.

And although Fox has dropped down a division from the Championship, the ex-Manchester United trainee is hopeful that it won't be too long before he is back in the second tier with his new club.

He will officially become a U's player on July 1, a day after his current contract with Blackpool expires.

Renowned for his good first touch and his passing ability, Fox is likely to complement the battling qualities of current U's midfielders Kem Izzet, Dean Hammond and David Perkins.

At the end of last month, U's boss Paul Lambert completed the signing of striker Ashley Vincent from Cheltenham, following an initial loan spell at the Community Stadium, while keeper Mark Cousins also signed a new contract. But Fox's arrival is the first fresh face.

“From a personal point of view, I don't want to be out of the Championship for too long, and this is a great opportunity to get back,” insisted Fox, who is the son of former well-known Stoke City keeper Peter Fox.

“Hopefully, that can be achieved this coming season. Everything here is set up for that situation.”

Speaking about his new manager Lambert, Stoke-born Fox added: “As a man, he was very sincere and precise in his thoughts. And his aim was very clear.

“He wasn't saying we could do this or we could do that - he said he wants to get promoted this season and that appealed to me straight away.”

A product of the prestigious Manchester United Academy, Fox signed professional terms with the Old Trafford club but never made a first team appearance. He had spells on loan at Shrewsbury and Royal Antwerp (United's feeder club in Belgium) before eventually signing for Blackpool at the start of 2006.

The 25-year-old, who will sign a three-year deal with the U's, made 94 league appearances for the Seasiders, scoring six goals. He played 23 times in the Championship last term and is also a former England under-20 international.