National League outfit make seventh and eighth signing of the summer ahead of Harlow Town friendly tomorrow

Leyton Orient have completed the signing of Colchester United forward Macauley Bonne for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old is the seventh addition O’s have made this summer and provides more option up front.

Bonne needs no introduction to the Orient supporters having scored against them in east London last season.

As it stands, the goal is the last scored in the Football League at Brisbane Road, but the forward will look to change that by eventually firing O’s to promotion.

The Ipswich-born striker has also played in the National League before having enjoyed loan spells at Lincoln City and Woking last season.

Bonne progressed through the academy at Colchester and went on to make 83 appearances for the U’s, scoring 16 goals in total.

Most of his appearances have been off the bench, but the speedy striker will hope to cement himself in Orient’s starting XI.

Colchester’s Director of Football Tony Humes spoke to the official club website about the decision to allow Bonne to leave.

He said: “Sometimes, you have to be fair to a player and let him move on to pastures new, we do have a duty of care to all our young players coming through the system.

“Macca has found it difficult to cement a regular place in the first team and we felt it was probably the best thing for him to try and galvanise his career elsewhere.

“This happens across the football world and we ourselves have benefitted from the performances of the likes of Gavin Massey and George Moncur coming here after finding the path to first team football tough at their previous club.

“Whilst it didn’t quite work out here for Macca, we all thank him for all his efforts in his time here and wish him well in his future career.”

Bonne has agreed a two-year deal at Brisbane Road and he should develop under new O’s head coach Steve Davis.

After announcing the signing of the forward at 4.30pm, Orient revealed they had brought in another player from Colchester two hours later.

George Elokobi has agreed a two-year deal at Brisbane Road and will provide competition in defence.

Elokobi started last season out of the Colchester team and enjoyed a successful loan spell at Braintree Town.

After returning to the U’s in November, the defender was a regular under John McGreal, but left in May after failing to agree a new deal.

Colchester’s loss has been Orient’s gain and Elokobi appears the perfect option at centre back, which adds to the growing optimism at Brisbane Road.