Lockwood helped Forest win promotion last season (Getty)

Colchester United have signed Nottingham Forest left-back Matt Lockwood for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old signed a two-year contract with the League One-bound U's after the clubs agreed a fee in May.

Lockwood played 12 times for Forest last season after signing from Leyton Orient, where he made 375 appearances in over 10 years.

He is United's second pre-season signing, following fellow defender Matt Heath to Layer Road.

Colchester manager Geraint Williams told BBC Essex: "It's no secret after last season we needed to strengthen our defence and Matt is the right kind of player.

"He likes to get the ball down and is good going forward but at the same time he's a decent defender which is what we need after conceding so many goals last season."