Colchester United signed Ben Perry from Nottingham Forest...

Colchester United signed Ben Perry from Nottingham Forest

Colchester United’s positive connection with Nottingham Forest was a major factor in their ability to secure Ben

Perry, according to Danny Cowley.

The U’s defeated numerous other teams to sign the 20-year-old midfield player for an undisclosed amount on a

three-year contract.

Given that they both signed Jamie McDonnell and Aaron Donnelly on loan from the Premier League team last

season, Colchester and Forest have a strong relationship.

And according to U’s manager Cowley, the success McDonnell and Donnelly had while living in North Essex helped

them land another Reds academy star.

Cowley said: “Off the back of the success we had with Forest with Jamie McDonnell and Aaron Donnelly, I think

we’ve got a good relationship with them.

“We’re really thankful that they’ve made it possible because I think without them structuring the deal the way they

did, I don’t think it would have been possible for us.

“They wanted to help us and they felt that they did a good job with Jamie and Aaron and they obviously keep some

interest, in terms of there being a small sell on.

“I think they felt that we would be a really good next step, for Ben.

“He’s just a young boy but I think he’s a really exciting signing for us.

“Ben has incredible athleticism.

“He did brilliantly for Northampton and played a key role in keeping them in the division.

“Ben was an athletic player in League One, so we’re really pleased to have signed him.

“I think he’s a player who will make our team significantly better and he’s a fantastic athlete.

He’s really good against the ball, aggressive, good intensity, likes to get up to the ball, comes out with the ball in

duels and can use the ball well.

“We’re excited to work with him and be a part in the next stage in his career.”

Before Perry moved to Colchester, Northampton Town was one of the teams vying for his services this summer.

Kevin Nolan, the manager of the Cobblers, has acknowledged that they attempted to sign the midfield player, who

excelled while on loan at the League One team during the second part of the previous campaign.

“We had our eye on Ben,” Nolan told the Northampton Chronicle.

“Earlier in the summer, we submitted an offer that we believed was appropriate for both the player and the club, but

it didn’t match Forest’s assessment of him, and regrettably, he has since moved on.”