Matthew Briggs has finalised his switch to Colchester United.
The defender spent the latter part of last season on loan with the League One outfit, for whom he made 18 appearances.
Earlier this summer the 24-year-old was released by parent club Millwall, which has paved the way for him to return to the Colchester Community Stadium on a permanent two-year deal.
"He has got a lot of the attributes we're looking for and he showed at the end of the season that he's improving with games," manager Tony Humes told the club's official website.
"You're looking at him fitting into the back four as an attacking left-back and he has a real physicality and technical ability. He has got those attributes in abundance.
"He still needs to get better on some of the defensive parts of the game, but that will come through his knowledge and understanding of playing every week."
Briggs has been capped by England at every level between Under-16 and Under-21.