CALLUM Harriott believes he has returned to Colchester United a better player after re-signing for the club.

The 25-year-old winger, who made 23 appearances and scored seven goals during a successful loan spell with the U’s in the 2015-16 season, has penned a two-year deal at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Harriott has now returned on a permanent basis and after spells at Charlton Athletic and Reading, feels he now has even more to offer at his new club.

Harriott said: “I’ve come back a better player, 100 per cent.

“I think I was maybe 20 when I was here last time and I think I can personally say that I feel like I’ve improved in a lot of different ways.

“I’ve had different coaches and learnt a lot, so now I just need to double what I did here four years ago!

“My time here was really good. We had a good bunch of lads, there was good coaching and training was good.

“I just felt that it was right really and I just want to get down to work.”

Harriott has been a free agent since leaving Championship outfit Reading, at the end of last season.

He spent time with former club Charlton in pre-season, playing against the U’s in a pre-season friendly in July.

“My agent and I spoke to many clubs and it got to a point where we didn’t really want to wait around," he said.

“Colchester were a team that had been enquiring and we had talks – they were really up for it and I was as well.

“I had good times here and I just want to repeat it really.

“The main thing for me right now is just playing.

“Once that happens after a game or so, I’m hoping to start nodding in some goals.

“I want to play for this team and get promoted.”

Harriott has so far played his football in the Championship or League One and is hoping to help Colchester return to a higher division.

“If I’m going to be totally honest, I did have some qualms about coming down to League Two,” he added.

“The only reason for that was standard wise but when we (Charlton) played against Colchester in pre-season, I felt they passed the ball well and looked strong.

“For me, leagues aren’t really important because a League Two club can be a Championship club or Premier League club.

“It’s always possible; it’s a game of football.

“I just felt comfortable coming here - I didn’t really have any doubts about it because I’ve been here now and I just want to get going.”