‘We tried to get Tom last year as well’ – Ward

COLCHESTER United boss John Ward has revealed that he tried to sign new recruit Tom Aldred 12 months ago.

Centre-half Aldred completed his move from Watford this morning, on a free transfer and a two-year deal, after the 20-year-old had his Hornets contract cancelled by mutual consent. The paperwork had been completed on deadline day yesterday.

Aldred will look to force his way into the U’s team over the coming weeks and months, although he is unlikely to figure at Scunthorpe United this Saturday.

Ward, though, is delighted to have captured Aldred.

“I know Tom well. He is a young player who was at Carlisle on the apprentice side of it,” explained Ward, who was a former manager at Carlisle.

“He was in the youth team there. They got to the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup one year, and Tom was very prominent at the back in that team. He did extremely well.

“He played a few games in their first team and then Watford came in and made a bid. They got him for �50,000.

“I was interested in him then, but obviously we didn’t get him.

“He went into the Championship, but it’s not worked out for him there and so we have brought him here,” added Ward.