DAVID Mooney will stay at Colchester United until the end of the season after putting pen to paper on a loan extension this morning.

The Irish striker joined the U’s on a six-month loan from Championship club Reading last summer and became a hit at the Essex club by scoring nine goals in 24 appearances in the opening half of this season.

That initial loan deal expired following Monday’s 4-2 defeat at Leyton Orient though, with Reading calling the 26-year-old back with view to a permanent sale or more lucrative loan elsewhere.

More than one unnamed club – at least one of them thought to be in the Championship – offered the Royals a higher percentage of Mooney’s wages to take him on loan for the second half of the season.

However, Mooney told Reading boss Brian McDermott that he wanted to remain at Colchester due to the fact he was enjoying his football there and his young family enjoyed living in the area.

The Irishman drove back to Colchester last night and signed his loan papers first thing this morning.

“It wasn’t a hard decision for me because I’ve really enjoyed my time at Colchester,” said Mooney.

“I spoke to John (Ward) quite a few times over the past few weeks and always said that if I could come back here I’d do it.”

– For full story, see tomorrow’s EADT.