HIGHLY rated young midfielder John-Joe O'Toole has joined Colchester United.

HIGHLY-RATED young midfielder John-Joe O'Toole has joined Colchester United.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international has signed a loan deal that will reunite him with former Hornets boss Aidy Boothroyd until January.

The deal went through ahead of yesterday's 5pm transfer deadline and O'Toole will now be in contention for Colchester's trip to Southampton on Saturday.

“It gives me a chance to get playing again and get back on the pitch and do my thing,” said the 20-year-old. “I know him (Boothroyd) well and I know what he expects from me so I am looking forward to the challenge.

“Colchester have a fantastic stadium and I am really impressed. It has been frustrating not playing, but this will be a great place to get up and running again.”

O'Toole broke through at Vicarage Road under the tutelage of Boothroyd but has found his chances limited in recent times and spent the end of last season out on loan at Sheffield United.

Described as 'an all action midfielder with an eye for goal', O'Toole hit the back of the net in Watford's 3-2 win at Layer Road in Colchester's second season in the Championship.

He will train for the first time with the U's squad tomorrow afternoon, before travelling to Southampton with the first team squad.