COLCHESTER United defender Ben Goodliffe has signed for Southend United on loan until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old, who joined the U's on a two-year deal from Sutton United last summer, will spend the rest of the season with the National League Shrimpers, after a deal between the two clubs was completed.

Goodliffe has made 14 appearances for Colchester this season, with eight of them league starts.

The centre-back has scored three times for the U's in the current campaign, including two on his debut on the opening day of the season at AFC Wimbledon.

However, he has found a starting spot hard to come by of late, with his last league start for the U's in the 0-0 draw at Fleetwood Town, back in November.

And the arrival of Jack Tucker on loan from MK Dons this week has led to Goodliffe leaving and joining the U's Essex neighbours.

Goodliffe made more than 150 appearances for Sutton, prior to joining Colchester.

In his time at Gander Green Lane, he helped the club reach the EFL for the first time, as well as playing for them in the Papa John’s Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, in 2022.

Prior to playing for Sutton, the defender was on the books of Spurs as a youngster before joining Boreham Wood.

Goodliffe then joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2017 and was there for two years before linking up with Sutton, in 2019.