Northern Ireland international Michael Forbes has joined Colchester United on loan from West Ham for the rest of the season.
The former Dungannon Swifts youngster has yet to play for the Premier League side but has made seven appearances in the EFL Trophy for their under-21s.
He spent the first half of the season on loan with League One side Bristol Rovers before returning to West Ham because of injury.
The 20-year-old won his first senior international cap as a substitute against Finland in 2023.
He could make his Colchester bow in Saturday’s away match against Tranmere Rovers.
“The team seems to be in a really good place and we’ll just try to keep building momentum and getting wins on the board,” he said.
Colchester are 15th in League Two and have taken seven points from their last three games.
Forbes joined the Hammers’ youth academy in July 2020 and agreed a scholarship contract after leaving the Swifts.