Colchester United said goodbye to a handful of players following the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign and it appears as though one of them is set to feature against them once again next season.
Danny Cowley’s side managed to avoid relegation down to the National League on the final day of the season and are now likely to be aiming for a much brighter showing this time around.
This saw several players leaving the football club including the player in question, who has had trials at two other clubs before winning over his new side.
Hornby to the Saddlers
According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Walsall have agreed a deal to sign former Colchester United goalkeeper Sam Hornby to provide competition for Stoke City loanee Tommy Simkin.
Hornby has trained with Chesterfield, whilst also featuring for National League side Southend United earlier this month, but he is now set to land a one-year contract with the Saddlers, ahead of the 2024/25 League Two campaign.
How did Hornby fare last season?
The 29-year-old was limited to just nine first-team appearances in all competitions last season.
His first appearance came during Colchester’s EFL Trophy match against Cambridge United in October before he signed for National League outfit Solihull Moors on a one-month loan.
During his time under Andy Whing, Hornby made three appearances and conceded a total of 10 goals, including six in one match against Altrincham.
He was soon recalled as a squad option for Colchester in League Two, but was their number one for the final five matches of the season, keeping a clean sheet and helping the club to safety.
Competition for Simkin
Ironically, Sam Hornby was sourced as Solihull’s replacement for Tommy Simkin last season after the teenager was recalled by Stoke City due to a first-team goalkeeping crisis which led to him earning his Championship debut against Sheffield Wednesday.
Hornby has earned his fair share of first-team experience throughout his career so far and will be able to use that in order to push Simkin next season as well as trying to displace him and become the first choice keeper.