Arsenal's Craig Eastmond joins Colchester United

Midfielder Craig Eastmond has agreed a two-year deal to join Colchester United when his current contract at Arsenal expires at the end of June.

The 22-year-old played 13 times for the U's in a loan spell during the 2012-13 season and scored twice.

He told the club's website: "I am at an age where I want to play week in, week out."

"I think I can do that here in the next step of my career."

Eastmond came through the youth ranks at Arsenal, where he was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2009 and went on to make 10 first-team appearances for the Gunners.

He also had loan spells at Millwall and Wycombe Wanderers before joining Colchester last September.

"I enjoyed my time here on loan, and now I just want to carry on where I left off," he added.

"This is a place that feels good to me and one that has made me feel part of a family."