SWINDON Town will not have top goalscorer Luke Norris in their squad for the coming season after the forward was sold to League Two rivals Colchester United.

Town took up a one-year option on Norris' contract in the summer but the 25-year-old was since granted permission to hold discussions with Colchester and will now depart to Essex.

Norris, 25, made 84 appearances for Town during his two seasons at the club – scoring 20 goals.

Fourteen of those strikes came last season, enough to make Norris the club’s top goalscorer for the campaign ahead of Marc Richards and Paul Mullin.

The former Gillingham man says the move to the U's feels 'right' and has set his sights on promotion with his new club.

Norris told Colchester's official website: "I heard about the interest and it really excited me. I spoke to John (McGreal, manager) and came away really happy, as this feels like the right move for me. 

"It looks like an ambitious season with the facilities here and the squad they've assembled and that really drew me in.

"I'm 25 now and have played quite a few games and scored a few goals, so I am hoping that I can carry that on and help Colchester get out of this league."

It means Norris becomes the fourth player from last season's Town squad either under contract or offered a new deal to remain at the Energy Check County Ground to depart the club this summer.

Fellow forward Mullin was sold to Tranmere Rovers on Monday, while Amine Linganzi and Matt Preston both turned down fresh terms to remain in Wiltshire.