| With Leon Cort departing to Crystal Palace for a new club record fee, Michael became new manager Phil Parkinson's first signing for the Tigers when he was recruited from Brentford in a three-year deal. The big centre-back arrives for a fee of £350,000 - the most the Tigers have ever paid for a defender and only second to the £400,000 paid for striker Stephen McPhee a year earlier. Lewisham-born Michael came through the ranks at Premiership Charlton Athletic. Although he became captain of the Addicks reserves, he didn't make the breakthrough in to their first team. His first taste of senior action came in a 7-game loan spell at Leyton Orient towards the end of the 2002-03 season. Michael had to wait another year before he was given a chance of a second loan stint. This time it was at Brentford. Three weeks before making his only previous appearance at the KC Stadium (City won a League One game 2-0 with a brace from Stuart Elliott), he agreed to join Martin Allen's Bees on a permanent basis in November 2004. Michael became the mainstay in the heart of their defence over his two seasons at Griffin Park. He claimed the players` 'Player of the Year' award in his first full season, then was Bees' only ever present in their 2005-06 league campaign when he won the supporters' Player of the Year award. Brentford reached the League One Play-Offs in both his seasons in West London. He made a total of 110 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals. Especially as they were one of Colchester United's leading promotion rivals, Phil Parkinson had good reason to admire Michael's skills: "He's a player that I've watched for a number of years, firstly with Charlton reserves and then obviously with Brentford. "I like him a lot and believe he'll be an excellent signing for us because he's ready to play Championship football. Michael was the best central defender in League One last season and is ready to step up." Michael becomes the first player to move directly between the Tigers and Brentford. Junior Lewis had a brief spell at Edgware Town before joining the Bees last August. Incidentally, Phil's first signing when he was in charge of Colchester was Michael Edwards who he recruited from the Tigers in March 2003. |
