Colchester United Sign Southampton's Moses Sesay on Loan

Colchester United have moved to bolster their midfield, bringing in highly rated Southampton youngster Moses Sesay on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old arrives with a pedigree that will turn heads in League Two. He came through Chelsea’s academy before switching to Southampton last year, and has already represented England at Under-18 level. The league minutes haven’t come yet at St Mary’s, but he has had a taste of senior football with a substitute appearance in last season’s EFL Cup.

For Colchester, this is a calculated gamble on potential and pace.

“Moses is a very gifted player with the ball. He can really speed up the game,” U’s boss Danny Cowley told BBC Essex, underlining exactly why the club have moved for him. Cowley knows he is getting raw talent, not the finished article.

Sesay is embarking on his first loan spell, a crucial step in the pathway from academy prospect to fully-fledged professional. That jump is rarely smooth. Cowley is braced for the learning curve.

“He’s been involved with England. It’s his first loan, so he’s going to need time to adapt, but he’s got some really good attributes. We’re looking forward to working with him,” the Colchester manager added.

Colchester want energy, incision and a different tempo in midfield. Sesay has been signed to bring exactly that. Now it’s over to the teenager to show that promise can survive the grind of a full league season.