Owen Garvan signs short-term deal with Colchester United

The 27-year-old midfielder – released by the Eagles this summer – has put pen-to-paper on a contract through to January and, having trained with his new club for the first time this morning, will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s League One visit of Scunthorpe.

The move comes after the Irishman spent time training with the likes of Ipswich, Southend and Motherwell in recent months during a frustrating search for a new club.

“Owen will certainly add to the quality we already have in the squad,” said U’s boss Tony Humes, whose side have started the season with two draws and two defeats in the league.

“He has played at the top level and is at an age when players traditionally start reaching their peak.

“It’s fantastic that we have been able to get him here and we’re confident that he will fit in extremely well.”

The Dubliner came through the academy ranks at Ipswich Town, was a member of the team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2005 and made more than 150 appearances for the Suffolk club over five years before eventually falling out of favour under the management of Roy Keane.

A £250k switch to George Burley’s Palace came in the summer of 2010, but the installation of Dougie Freedman as the club’s new boss six months later saw Garvan slip down the pecking order.

He returned to the fold under new boss Ian Holloway and played a key part in the south London club’s promotion to the Premier League in the 2012/13 season, but was then left out of the club’s 25-man squad the following season.

Garvan, correctly as it turned out, predicted he would be at the club longer than Holloway. Knee problems, as well as increased competition, restricted his chances under Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew though and, after brief loan spells with Millwall and Bolton last season, he was released.

– See tomorrow’s EADT for a revealing interview with the Irish midfielder in which he talks about wanting to prove a point following two years in the wilderness.