FORMER Colchester United winger, Kevin McLeod, has begun where he left off last season following an impressive debut for new club Brighton over the weekend.

Carl Marston

FORMER Colchester United winger, Kevin McLeod, has begun where he left off last season following an impressive debut for new club Brighton over the weekend.

McLeod turned down the offer of a new deal with the U's to sign a two-year contract with the Seagulls last month, and he took just 75 seconds to open his account for the Sussex club.

The ex-Everton trainee had netted a brace in a man-of-the-match display at Scunthorpe on the final day of last season, as the U's drew 3-3 against their fellow relegation hosts. Ironically, it was to prove his last game for the U's.

McLeod will be playing his old team next season - the U's are due to at Withdean Stadium on Boxing Day - and the 27-year-old kicked-off his Seagulls career with a cracking early strike in a comfortable pre-season friendly victory over non-league Worthing.

Exchanging a one-two with team-mate Dean Cox from a short corner, McLeod cut inside to smash home a left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

Seagulls boss Micky Adams, the former Colchester assistant manager, confirmed: "It is always nice when new players come into the squad and go out and make an impression. I thought he (McLeod) did that."

Meanwhile, the U's begin their own pre-season campaign with a trip to fellow Essex side Tiptree United on Wednesday evening, followed by another away game at Heybridge on Saturday.

Their only home friendly, at their new Weston Homes Community Stadium, is a mouth-watering clash with Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao on Monday, August 4.