Former Colchester United midfielder Mauro Bandeira has joined the PFA pre-season team, featuring alongside fellow out-of-contract players in a friendly against Watford under-21s. The 22-year-old spent time at the U's on loan in the 2023/24 season, making 11 league and cup appearances and two league starts for the U's after joining them on loan from Arsenal. Bandeira was one of 22 players to be released by Arsenal in June, 2024, and has most recently been playing his football for Slovenian club NK Tabor Sezana. The PFA team will face Watford under-21s in their tenth friendly of pre-season, kicking off at 1pm tomorrow and available to watch live on X and YouTube. The match will be a key test for the PFA team, who are looking to build momentum ahead of the new season. Colchester United are currently 11th in League Two, with 1 point from 1 game, and are looking to improve their form in the coming weeks. The team's next fixture is against Gillingham on February 27, 2027, and will be a crucial test of their abilities. League standing: 11th in League Two, 1 pts, 0W-1D-0L from 1 games, recent form D. Goals this season: 2 scored, 2 conceded (0 goal difference). Title race: 2 points behind leaders Walsall. Next fixture: vs Gillingham (away, 2027-02-27) (24th in the table).