TOM Aldred’s decision to sign for Watford a year ago may have backfired, but the 20-year-old is convinced that his latest decision to sign for Colchester United will turn out to be the right one.

TOM Aldred’s decision to sign for Watford a year ago may have backfired, but the 20-year-old is convinced that his latest decision to sign for Colchester United will turn out to be the right one.

Centre-half Aldred, whose two-year deal with the U’s was rubber-stamped this morning, never actually made a senior appearance for the Hornets.

The 20-year-old ended up being shipped out on loan to Stockport County and then most recently Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

“Maybe being young and 19, I jumped at what was probably the biggest club (Watford) that was in for me at the time,” admitted Aldred.

“Whether or not that was the right decision or not, I don’t know.

“I learnt a lot during the time I was at Watford, but I didn’t spend a lot of time actually there! It was difficult for me to get a chance, because I was hardly ever there.

“And when I was there, over the Christmas period, the team seemed to be going quite well, so it was difficult to get a chance. “It was just one of those moves that didn’t work out, but I learnt a lot.

“It happened too quickly, in the summer when I was away on holiday. I wasn’t used to that interest.

“But I’m now happy to be at Colchester. It’s a good club and I want to get settled,” added Aldred.