'Keeper Ben Williams will sign for Colchester United pending completion of medical and agreement of personal terms following prolonged interest from U's manager Paul Lambert.

Williams, 26, joined the Cumbrians from Crewe last summer and played 36 games in all competitions last season, and was voted as the away player of the season at the end of season awards.

Greg Abbott said: "Paul Lambert has been phoning me about Ben Williams for a while now and, as you know, we tried to tie any deal that was going to be done in with a swap for Scott Vernon.

"When that fell through Paul indicated that he still wanted to take Ben, and he has now come to an agreement with the player.

"Ben was fantastic for us in the second half of last season, and we wish him all the very best as he moves on.

"We are already talking to potential replacements, and we hope to have that sorted very soon."