Sam Walker has claimed that he was destined to re-sign for Colchester United.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper joined the U's on a six-month loan deal from Chelsea last week.

Having spent time on loan at the Weston Homes Community Stadium last season, Walker has said that he is happy to return to the League One club.

"It's very pleasing to be back at Colchester," Walker told the Colchester Daily Gazette.

"It was one of those things that was always going to happen and it was a case of when, rather than if. Towards the end of last season, the manager at Colchester [Joe Dunne] laid out what he was planning to do and I really liked what I heard.

"I had it in my head early on that I was happy to come back. I love the club, it's staff and the people there and the fans are great."

Walker played 19 games for Colchester last season.