ICELANDIC international Matthias Vilhj�lmsson looks set to join Colchester United on a three-month loan deal.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder – who has six full international caps – captains all-conquering Icelandic side Fimleikaf�lag Hafnarfjar�ar (FH).

The Icelandic league is currently in its close season though, meaning the U’s have been able to arrange a short-term loan until March.

Vilhj�lmsson’s agent is Kenny Moyes, the brother of Everton boss David who sits on the same nine-man Executive Committee panel of the League Managers Association as U’s boss John Ward.

Ward took Vilhj�lmsson – nicknamed Matti Villa in his home country – on a week-long trial prior to Christmas and was left impressed by his attitude.

“It’s likely they will get me out on Wednesday (today) to finalise the papers,” Vilhj�lmsson told Icelandic paper Morgunbladid.

Vilhj�lmsson comes from �safj�r�ur, a small fishing town located in the north-west of the country.

A key player at international youth team level, he transferred from his hometown club to FH when 16 years old.

The club, based close to the capital of Reykjav�k, have won five league titles since 2004 and featured in both the Champions League and UEFA Cup.

An attacking midfielder who can also play up front, Vilhj�lmsson has scored 34 goals in 113 appearances for FH while also studying at university.

Ward will now step up his search for a striker after David Mooney and Liam Henderson returned to parent clubs Reading and Watford respectively, although the U’s boss has not yet given up on bringing Mooney back to The Weston Homes Community Stadium.