AFTER a handful of loan deals, Colchester United boss Paul Lambert landed his first permanent signing last night, with the arrival of free agent Alan Maybury.

Carl Marston

By Carl Marston

AFTER a handful of loan deals, Colchester United boss Paul Lambert landed his first permanent signing last night, with the arrival of free agent Alan Maybury.

The experienced Maybury, who ironically began his career at tomorrow's opponents Leeds United, has signed on a free transfer initially until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old full-back, who can operate down either flank, played against his new boss Lambert during the duo's time in Scotland. Maybury was a regular at Hearts, and spent the back-end of last season on loan at Aberdeen, while Lambert was on the books of Celtic.

Even though the transfer window does not re-open until the start of next month, Maybury has been able to sign for the U's because he is a free agent attached to no other club.

The Dubliner had been training with the U's for the last three weeks, and he enjoyed a competitive outing for the reserves in their 6-1 over Romford in an Essex Senior Cup tie.

Maybury, who has earned 10 caps for Republic of Ireland, spent six years at Leeds after graduating from the Elland Road youth-team set-up in 1995.

But he has made most of his career appearances for Hearts (134 senior games) and Leicester City (102).

Since being appointed the U's boss two months ago, Lambert has recruited a number of players on loan. The trio of Jimmy Walker, Marc Tierney and Jermaine Easter are all expected to play at Leeds tomorrow, although Lee Hills (Crystal Palace) and Sam Williams (Aston Villa) have since returned to their respective clubs because of injury.