Oldham Athletic's have signed Colchester United's Jabo Ibehre on a 93-day loan.
The 31-year-old, voted the U's player of the season last year, links up with former Colchester skipper Brian Wilson at SportsDirect.com Park after falling down the pecking order at his parent club.Latics will lose Conor Wilkinson after this weekend when he returns to Bolton at the end of his loan stay so Ibehre will provide another option for boss Lee Johnson's team, who are unbeaten in nine games.
"I've always liked Jabo," said Johnson.
"He's a good guy - I've known for him a while as far as playing against him and seeing his teams.
"What he brings you is an ability to turn defence into attack quickly through his obscene strength. He's technically good, his hold-up play's good. He hasn't scored enough goals; had he scored enough goals he'd definitely be a Championship striker.
"But he gives room for everyone else to come into his space. He'll be a good addition to us.
"He's had a bit of a niggle so he's probably going to be in and out for a couple of weeks but it was good business given the fact this was a possibility of always happening with Conor Wilkinson.
"We're coming to the part of the season where it's cold and pitches tear up a little bit. We need that physical presence. He's big, he will score goals and I still think he's got improvement in him."