EX-Colchester United winger Kevin McLeod has revealed that he was never “convinced” by the U's offer of a new contract this summer.

Carl Marston

EX-Colchester United winger Kevin McLeod has revealed that he was never “convinced” by the U's offer of a new contract this summer.

McLeod moved to League One rivals Brighton instead, at the end of last month, rather than sign a new deal with the U's.

Former Everton trainee McLeod made 55 senior appearances in two years for United, but he decided against staying on for the long-awaited switch to the Essex club's new ground at Weston Homes Community Stadium.

McLeod admitted to a local Brighton newspaper: “I was offered a new deal by Colchester, but I wasn't really convinced by what they were offering me.”

McLeod has been one of 12 players to leave the U's this summer. Seven were released, Teddy Sheringham and Aidan Davison both retired, skipper Karl Duguid signed for Plymouth last month, and Jamie Guy signed on a season-long loan to Oxford United on Thursday. In addition, leading scorer Kevin Lisbie has been attracting interest from Championship clubs, including Ipswich, and winger Mark Yeates failed a medical pending a possible move to Crystal Palace last month.

McLeod's move to Brighton has meant a reunion with Seagulls boss Micky Adams, who was the assistant manager at Colchester for six months last year.

McLeod continued: “I didn't know him [Micky] before he came in at Colchester. Everyone was thinking he was too big for the job, but I got on with him and got to know him quite well. Micky says it how it is, and that is what I like in a manager. If he thinks you are not pulling your weight or passing the buck, he will tell you.

“He's had a lot of experience, he knows what he is talking about and I think we can go on to do good things. There is a lot more left in me. I have never had faith in anyone as a manager. They might have had faith in me but I need man management, I need putting in place and people staying on my case but I also need to do it myself.

“Mick has been there for me. I know where he is coming from and I know what he wants from me. If I have got a game plan I'll stick to it, keep myself fit, keep going every week, score goals and set goals up.”

It will be interesting to see how the former U's left winger fares at Brighton - he produced some fine performances in a Colchester shirt, but was dogged by a lack of consistency, especially away from home.

Adam Virgo, who was on loan with the U's from Celtic last season, also signed for Brighton this summer, so that will ensure added spice for when United visit the Withdean Stadium on Boxing Day.