Colchester United midfielder Anthony Scully is desperate to “get out and start playing again” after a couple of frustrating seasons.
Scully was a regular at Lincoln City before moving on to Wigan and then Portsmouth, but only played five games for the Latics and nine for Pompey.
The 26-year-old is hoping he can reignite his career under Danny and Nicky Cowley, the U’s boss and assistant.
“It’s been a really tough couple of years – I haven’t played a lot of football because of injuries and other issues,” Scully told BBC Essex Sport.
“I’m just determined to get myself back into an environment where I’m wanted, which is what I’m feeling here from the manager and staff, where you’re given the opportunity to play football and get myself going again.”
Although the move to Colchester happened late, he had spoken to former sporting director Dmitri Halajko earlier in the summer window.
Halajko subsequently left the club to become head of Ipswich Town‘s academy.
“I knew Dmitri at [my first club] West Ham – I had a great relationship with Dmitri. That’s just football – people come, people go, but having met the staff here it was exactly like I’d been told,” said Scully, who has not played a league game since January.
Colchester have four points from four games in League Two and host Bromley on Saturday.
Scully added: “They [the Cowleys] have the same outlook on football and I think it’ll be perfect for me [at Colchester], just what I need.
“I feel fit, I feel healthy – I’ve not played a lot of matches, but apart from that I’ve kept myself in good condition and I’m ready to go.
“I found it really hard not playing, especially last year when I came back [for pre-season] super-fit and then got so many injuries, which I’m not used to – it’s not like me.”
Meanwhile, Colchester defender Will Greenidge has joined non-league Hornchurch on loan.