Defender Jack Baldwin has left Northampton Town to sign for Colchester United.

The Essex club signed Baldwin for a free transfer after the 32-year-old agreed to mutual termination of his contract at Sixfields.

Baldwin signed a one year contract to join Colchester, with the deal agreed in time for Colchester’s second match of the new season away at Oldham on Saturday (09/08).

The move sees Baldwin depart Sixfields a year after joining Northampton from Ross County. The defender spent one season with Northampton, where he made 24 appearances in all competitions.

Northampton manager Kevin Nolan told the club’s website that the move represented the best option for both parties.

He said, “We wish Jack well. This is a good move for him. He obviously wants to play more regularly than we may have been able to offer him this season, so Jack moves on with our best wishes and our thanks.

“Jack is a great professional who has always conducted himself in the right way. He is a top lad and I have nothing but good things to say about him. We wish him well both at Colchester United and for the future.”

In an arrival interview with the Colchester website, Baldwin spoke of his excitement at joining the project in Essex.

He said, “There were a lot of parts that felt right about coming here, and obviously sharing a dressing room with lads you’ve played with before really helps. There are one or two in there that I know from previous clubs, so that’s been a good introduction.

“We do have a young squad, but that’s exciting. I think we’ve got a lot of good talent, a lot of pace, a lot of power, so a sprinkle of experience just to help them on their own journey will help. Hopefully that’s something I can bring to the group too.”