COLCHESTER United have smashed their transfer record to sign promising young striker Steven Gillespie from Cheltenham Town.

COLCHESTER United have smashed their transfer record to sign promising young striker Steven Gillespie from Cheltenham Town.

The U's splashed out “in excess” of £400,000 for the 24-year-old former Liverpool trainee, who led Cheltenham with 16 goals last season.

The club's previous transfer record was £350,000, which they spent to lure Chris Coyne from Luton in January.