The Hammers have confirmed that 20 year old academy product Will Greenidge has completed a permanent transfer to Colchester United.

The defender has signed a two-and-a-half year contract at the JobServe Community Stadium with his preferred position being  right-back but he is equally happy in any of the defensive positions.

The young defender played under Colchester sporting director Dmitri Halajko during his time coaching in the Hammers’ academy.

He has played regularly for West Ham’s under-21 side this season, including in all three of their Papa Johns Trophy games.

The versatile defender progressed  through the Academy of Football’s age groups making . 18 appearances for the development side this season, scoring one goal, with 46 outings for the U21s since linking up with the side full-time in the 2020/21 season.

The club site reveals the 2019/20 recipient of the Dylan Tombides Award joins a Colchester side competing in EFL League Two, with a squad that boasts former Hammers Freddie Sears and Frank Nouble, as well as former West Ham U21s teammate Ossama Ashley.