COLCHESTER United have brought in Dave Huzzey as their new Academy Manager.

Huzzey makes the move from his role as Southend United's under-23s coach to take over the role, which was vacated when Jon De Souza took over as the U's Director of Performance earlier this summer.

He will oversee the whole of the U's Academy, focusing particularly on youngsters ranging from under-17 through to under-23 level at Florence Park.

Huzzey will be assisted by James McFarlane, who has been appointed as the U's Assistant Academy Manager and will look after the younger age groups.

U's Head of Performance Jon de Souza told the U's website: "We had a wide range of candidates from a variety of backgrounds and Dave was our chosen candidate after impressing us at interview.

"We have changed the structure of roles in the academy over the summer, so Dave will join as Academy Manager and be supported by James McFarlane, who will take up the Assistant Academy Manager role.

"Dave has spent seven or eight years working with the U18s and U23s at Southend and has a strong track record of helping players make that transition from youth football into the first team.

"Southend have had a successful record in that regard in recent years and recently saw Dru Yearwood, an Academy product, make a big move to Brentford.

"He is one of a number of players to have done well for Southend's first team and Dave has played his part in that during his time at the club."

Huzzey will start his new role on September 9.