Riley Harbottle joins Colchester on loan

23-year-old Riley Harbottle has joined Colchester United from Edinburgh's Hibernian FC.

After making the switch to Hibs in the summer, the young centre-half will link up with the English League Two side for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

Since signing for the Scottish outfit, Riley went on to make two appearances in green, with his league debut coming against Livingston back in August.

He will now join Danny Cowley’s U’s, who sit 21st in the fourth tier of English football.

On the loan move, Hibernian FC Head Coach Nick Montgomery spoke with Hibernianfc.co.uk, saying: “At this stage of Riley’s career, it’s imperative that he goes out and gains regular football. Gametime has been limited for him this season, and he needs to continue developing. We hope he embraces this challenge and it’s a successful loan spell where he plays week in, week out.”

Harbottle started out in the youth academy of Nottingham Forest, where he worked his way up through the ranks, signing his first professional contract at the club in 2021 at the age of 21.

Throughout his time in England, the Nottingham native was sent on two successful loan spells with Wealdstone and Mansfield Town.

The defender bagged six professional goals in 32 senior appearances at Mansfield, earning himself the reputation as a fan favorite before returning to Forest and transferring to Hibs.