West Ham's Jamie Harney makes permanent Colchester switch

Jamie Harney has made one appearance for the Northern Ireland Under-21 side

Colchester United have signed defender Jamie Harney on a free transfer from Premier League club West Ham.

The 18-year-old, who has made one substitute appearance for the U's since joining on loan in November, has signed a deal until 2016.

He can play either centre-half or right-back, but has mostly featured for Colchester's Under-21 side since moving from the Hammers.

Harney has been is capped at age group levels up to U21 by Northern Ireland.