Dion Sembie-Ferris admits he was shocked when he was offered a new three-year deal by Colchester United.

But the highly-rated teenage winger says he is “overjoyed” with his new deal – and is determined to repay the faith shown in him by the U’s after committing his future to the club.

Sembie-Ferris, who burst onto the scene in the second part of this season, has signed a fresh contract which will keep him with the U’s until 2018.

The 18-year-old made 11 appearances for Colchester over recent months, having made his senior debut against Cardiff City in January.

But despite that, he admits the new deal came as something of a surprise.

Sembie-Ferris said: “I’d been doing well and had finished the season quite strongly but when the manager called me in and told me what was going on, I was a bit shocked!

“I’m overjoyed but now I have to show that they are right to put their faith in me.

“To be given a three-year contract is fantastic and it’s great to have a real sense of security, because it allows me to focus on my playing.

“It’s great to know that they think that I’m such an asset.

“It’s been a great season for me and I’m over the moon with the way that it’s gone.

“The manager has just told me to carry on where I left off.

“He knows what I can do and he just wants to keep progressing and to keep going – hopefully the sky’s the limit.

“I’m always hungry to play games – coming off the bench is nice but I think it’s natural to want that starting place.”

Sembie-Ferris is one of a host of young players who have progressed from the U’s youth ranks to feature for the club’s first team, this season.

The teenager, who moved to Colchester from non-league St Neots Town in 2013, says having his fellow academy players with him in the first-team squad is beneficial.

“Colchester is a great place for youth and you only have to look at the progress of the likes of Macauley Bonne, Sammie Szmodics and Tom Lapslie this season to see that,” added Sembie-Ferris.

“Having a young team and being around players of the same age is very helpful.

“We all have the same aspirations to do well and there’s a real togetherness and hunger among us to succeed.

“It’s a great place to be in my playing career.

“It’s down to the coaches putting their faith in me and showing that they believe in me.”

For all of the latest Colchester United news, see the Daily Gazette.