10 players that Colchester United could sign on loan in the 2024/2025 season
With the season fast approaching, I take a look through some potential loan market options for the boys in blue and white.
We’ve discussed free transfers, we’ve discussed non-league signings, now it’s time to look into another squad building option for Col U: the loan market. Despite Danny Cowley publicly stating that his intention is to rely on fewer loan signings next season, there’s no denying that loanees have, in the past, provided a huge boost to the Us. The likes of Joe Taylor and Jacob Murphy spring to mind immediately as having proved an instant success over a short spell, but it’s also worth noting that a lot of former Us favourites initially joined the club on loan before signing permanently – think Neil Danns, Jamie Cureton, Sam Walker and George Moncur to name but a few.
So with my case for utilising the loan system now set out, let’s get straight into the targets.
Goalkeeper – Joshua Vickers (Derby County)
Kicking off between the sticks, and it’s a Cowley favourite that heads up today’s list. Joshua Vickers played under Danny and Nicky during separate spells at Concord Rangers and Lincoln City, and, hailing from Brentwood, is a South Essex man just like our fraternal management duo. Having only made 12 appearances for League 1 runners-up Derby last season, it’s likely that the 28-year-old shot stopper may now be casting his glances elsewhere, either to forge a new path or to ultimately get his foot back in the door at Pride Park. A loan move back to Essex would no doubt suit Vickers, who is now at the stage in his career where playing every week is vital to progression.
Goalkeeper – Etienne Green (St. Etienne)
I appreciate it may be somewhat overkill to include two goalkeepers in a list of just ten players, but hear me out on this one. Etienne Green is a highly rated 24 year old keeper who was born in our fine city of Colchester to an English father and French mother. This imposing shot stopper burst on to the scene with French side Saint-Etienne back in 2021 and even made 2 appearances for England Under 21s, having opted to represent the Three Lions over Les Bleus. However, his career has somewhat stalled since then, as he has slipped down the Saint-Etienne pecking order with the team also falling into Ligue 2, the second tier of France’s pyramid. It’s worth noting that Green was on the bench last week as St Etienne overcame Rodez to edge closer to a top tier return (they must now beat Metz, the side that finished third from bottom in Ligue 1), but should Green’s side return to the big time it’s even more unlikely that the 6 foot 4 goalkeeper will experience significant game time next season. A loan move to Colchester, on the other hand, would surely see him become a cult hero in no time.
Defender – Levi Laing (West Ham)
A 21-year-old versatile defender, Levi Laing previously spent time at the academies of Brentford and Arsenal but is yet to taste first team match experience within any tier of the EFL. A loan to the Jobserve, therefore, could be a shrewd move for both club and player – Laing would be capable of playing anywhere across our backline, or as a defensive midfielder.
Defender – Taylor Moore (Valenciennes)
Another English player currently playing in France, our next target is Taylor Moore. A centre back released by Bristol City in the summer of 2023, Moore spent last season at French side Valenciennes in Ligue 2. However, it’s safe to say that things didn’t go to plan for Moore last season, as the Englishman struggled to hold down a regular place in a side that would go on to finish rock bottom. To make matters worse, the centre back has been accused by various French media sources of partaking in an altercation with fans of his own side after a reserve game. As a result of this, he is said to no longer have a future with Valenciennes and will most likely be looking to leave on loan whilst his contract runs down. Moore clearly has quality and experience, so could Danny Cowley’s mentorship offer a lifeline to the well-travelled 27-year-old and put an end to his nightmare in northern France?
Midfielder – Malachi Boateng (Crystal Palace)
A tough tackling defensive midfielder, 21-year-old Malachi is the brother of Hiram Boateng who played a crucial part in Mansfield Town’s League Two promotion this year. With Crystal Palace providing us with Owen Goodman on a season long loan in the 2023/24 campaign, I’d like to see us borrow Boateng this time around. Having spent last season in Scotland with Dundee, a move closer to home could suit this London-born midfielder who would help to fill the gap left by the departing Jay Mingi.
Midfielder – Anthony Scully (Portsmouth)
Despite playing the best football of his career whilst at Lincoln, Scully never coincided with the Cowleys as they had already moved on to pastures new prior to his February 2020 arrival at Sincil Bank. Hitting an impressive 25 goals over 2 years for the Imps in League One, the man who also won 2 U21 caps for the Republic of Ireland would then go on to represent Wigan and Portsmouth. However, Scully’s prospects would ultimately be hampered by injury – the left winger has only played 10 league games across the last two seasons. With Pompey winning promotion to the Championship this season, Scully is unlikely to find a route back into the setup at the south coast side and a loan move to Essex could prove to be a low-risk strategy to bolster our attacking options with a highly talented player who is still only 25 years old.
Midfielder – Josh Stokes (Bristol City)
Josh Stokes is a local lad who comes from the Suffolk village of Shotley, around 20 miles from the Jobserve. Starting his career close to home with AFC Sudbury, Stokes would be poached by National League side Aldershot in 2023 where he would continue to impress, eventually earning a move to Championship side Bristol City earlier this year. With the 20 year old not being thrown straight into second tier football, Aldershot would re-sign the goalscoring winger on loan for the latter part of last season. Given that regular football at Bristol City could remain out of reach next season, Stokes may well now be looking to move a step up the pyramid and join an EFL side on loan – given the local link, Col U couldn’t be better placed to secure him for a season.
Midfielder – Keenan Appiah-Forson (West Ham)
A promising central midfielder for the Hammers who has already has a couple of substitute appearances in European competitions under his belt, Appiah-Forson enjoyed a successful loan spell at Dagenham and Redbridge last season. The 22-year-old will now be keen to show that he can perform at a higher level, and I have no doubt he would slot seamlessly into the Us’ midfield.
Striker - Luke Plange (Crystal Palace)
Another young Palace player, Luke Plange is a 21-year-old striker who has been out on loan several times but is yet to hit the goalscoring jackpot. Having experienced mixed spells at Carlisle, Lincoln and HJK Helsinki in recent seasons, could a loan move to North Essex be the catalyst for Plange to start both playing and finding the net regularly?
Striker – Freddie Ladapo (Ipswich)
A striker who many fans will remember from his time in our academy between 2010 and 2014, given the rave reviews that Freddie Ladapo earned whilst in the Us’ youth setup. However, the attacking player would ultimately end up dropping into non league where his goalscoring exploits would catapult him into a successful EFL career. Despite having weighed in with a couple of goals as local rivals Ipswich secured an unlikely second successive promotion last season, Ladapo may well be left out of the Tractor Boys’ Premier League squad come the summer. The 31 year old is more than capable of playing at League One level, but it may be the geographical proximity of Colchester that proves advantageous if Ladapo’s wish is to simply play football next season.