England-based Warriors prospect Macauley Bonne has shifted base from Colchester United to lower league side Leyton Orient.

The 21-year-old striker moved to the National League outfit on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee after spending eight years with the U’s.

Bonne, who was born in England to Zimbabwean parents, has been courted by the Warriors as a possible candidate for the green and gold jersey.

He scored a goal on his debut for Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors in a friendly match against Morocco three years ago. However, lack of game time at the Essex-based club has forced him to make the decision to move down to Orient.

Colchester United Director of Football Tony Humes confirmed the Bonne’s departure at the weekend.

"Sometimes, you have to be fair to a player and let him move on to pastures new, we do have a duty of care to all our young players coming through the system.

"Macca has found it difficult to cement a regular place in the first team and we felt it was probably the best thing for him to try and galvanise his career elsewhere.

"This happens across the football world and we ourselves have benefitted from the performances of the likes of Gavin Massey and George Moncur coming here after finding the path to first team football tough at their previous club.

"Whilst it didn't quite work out here for Macca, we all thank him for all his efforts in his time here and wish him well in his future career." 

Colchester United competes in League Two, which is the fourth tier of the English football league system, while Leyton Orient have been relegated to the National League which is the fifth tier. 

Bonne made his debut for Colchester United in October 2013, a few days before celebrating his 18th birthday, with a goal at home to Peterbrough United.

Since then, he has made a further 82 appearances for the U's, scoring 16 goals in total. Only 25 of these appearances have been from the start though, and the forward has spent time on loan at Woking and Lincoln looking for more regular competitive football.

Bonne however leaves the U’s a sad man. He told the Daily Gazette in England that it was sad to have left the club although he felt it was a decision he had to make for the good of his career.

“Sometimes in your career, you need to take a step back to go forward and I think I’m doing that at the best time for me.

“I’m sad to be leaving Colchester – I was there for a long time and I really enjoyed my time there.

“I hope that I made the right impression both on and off the pitch and who knows what might happen in the future?

“I’m only 21 and could end up playing against Colchester or even for them one day.

“But it’s been a pleasure to play in front of the fans and their support is second to none.”

 “I’d have liked to have played more games but that’s football and the decision I had to take had to be the right one.

“It’s been difficult being on the bench but I’ve always held my head up high.

“I enjoyed my time at Colchester and it’s sad that it didn’t work out for me there.”

Bonne made his first appearance for his new club at the weekend scoring two goals in the 6-1 thumping of Bostik League side Harlow Town, in a pre-season friendly.