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Ajayi Completes Colchester Switch
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Semi Ajayi has joined Colchester United on a free transfer following his release from Cardiff City.
Ajayi made eleven appearances for now League One side Rotherham whilst on loan, who were relegated from the Championship last season. This followed on from previous spells at Crewe, who were also relegated during his time at the club to League Two and Wimbledon beforehand in the same campaign.
The center-back came through the Charlton youth ranks before signing for Arsenal on a free transfer in 2013. He spent a year with the Premiership side before making the trip to Wales to join Cardiff, but the same fate would follow him this summer as he was released without making a single appearance for the Bluebirds – instead playing for the clubs listed above on loan.
The Nigerian born defender, who has chose to play for his birth country rather than England, has the perfect mix of height, strength and speed. Standing at 6'3, he is a rather imposing figure at the heart of the defence, possessing a strong head but also a surprising amount of pace at the same time, in which can only help his causes.
The 23 year old however did struggle during his time at Rotherham, as the Millers failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the games Ajayi featured in. Yet his first employer, Chris Powell who was Charlton manager at the time believes that it was just a 'one off' and that Ajayi will 'only improve as time goes on.'
"During my time as manager Semi always seemed a promising talent that we were keeping a close eye on in the academy. When he asked to leave to join Arsenal after his loan ended with Dartford, enjoying a very good season may I add, it was a huge shame for the club. To see him have a poor campaign with Rotherham last season is sad to see, however I feel it was just a one off for him."
Powell added, "He was a good character to have at the club as he had a willingness to succeed and was a determined individual. He will only improve as time goes on, especially now at a club like Colchester that definitely have the resources and staff to get the best out of him."
Ajayi joins on a two year deal that will keep him at the club until 2019, similarly to fellow summer signing Paul Digby who joined from Ipswich, also on a free after being released from the Championship outfit.