Colchester United's Sammie Szmodics seals Bristol City move

Colchester United have sold highly-rated midfielder Sammie Szmodics to Championship side Bristol City for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has spent his entire career at the U's, with the exception of a short loan spell at Braintree Town, after progressing through the club's academy.

He first joined Colchester as a seven-year-old and went on to make more than 150 first team appearances, scoring 37 goals.

His form in League Two had attracted interest from a host of Championship clubs, but it was Bristol City who won the race for his signature.

Szmodics has agreed a three-year contract at Ashton Gate and the Robins have paid a compensation fee to Colchester due to the fact that he's under 24.

“I can’t wait to get started! I’ve been in League One and League Two before, not the Championship but I can’t wait to show the Bristol City fans what they’ve signed and I can’t wait to get going," Szmodics said.

“I know how big the club is and it’s one of those where when the agent called, I couldn’t turn it down.”

Meanwhile, Cambridge United have signed former Hull City goalkeeper Callum Burton on a free transfer.