Colchester sign Kouassi & Williams on deadline day

Colchester United have made two deadline-day signings, bringing in Blackpool forward Kylian Kouassi and Crawley Town midfielder Jay Williams, both for undisclosed fees.

Kouassi, 23, has been with the Seasiders since 2023, but has spent the last two seasons on loan, first at Salford City and then Cambridge United.

He made 14 League Two appearances for Cambridge in their 2025-26 promotion campaign and began the new season by scoring in Blackpool's 3-1 away victory over Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup.

After the signing of Kouassi earlier in the day on a two-year deal, the U's then took their total of summer signings to 10 when 25-year-old Williams also signed in late on in the evening, very close to the deadline, on an undisclosed-length contract.

The Cowley brothers have started the season well with successive home wins but have so far picked up just one point on the road following Tuesday's 2-0 loss at Bristol Rovers.