Mauro Bandeira’s loan spell at Colchester United has come to an early end, with the midfielder returning to Arsenal.
Initially set to spend the entire season at the League Two club, the decision for an early return was mutually agreed upon by both clubs.
Mauro Bandeira’s loan spell at Colchester United has come to an early end, with the midfielder returning to Arsenal. Initially set to spend the entire season at the League Two club, the decision for an early return was mutually agreed upon by both clubs.
The 20-year-old Arsenal youth product was regularly involved in Colchester United‘s matchday squads at the beginning of his loan to the club, making 11 appearances and featuring on the bench in the three matches he didn’t play in.
Then Bandeira disappeared with no official explanation for his absence given by Colchester United, to the bemusement of supporters. Following his appearance in the Colchester squad on October 14th, Bandeira missed out on their next 10 fixtures, before it was finally confirmed that the player had been out of action with a knee injury.
At the end of November, Colchester United boss Matty Etherington explained that Bandeira had been back at London Colney to work on his recovery
from injury, before adding that the midfielder “is back from Arsenal and training this week. He needs a full week of training but he’s back”.
A week later, Bandeira made the bench for the side away to Doncaster Rovers, watching on as Etherington’s team lost 3-1. He featured on the bench in the following game on December 9 before once again dropping out entirely for the next five league games.
A statement on the official Colchester United site read, “Mauro Bandeira has returned to Arsenal. The nineteen-year-old joined the U’s on loan from the Premier League giants during pre-season back in July, a year after he signed his first pro contract at the Emirates.
“Following a good start for the youngster, with eleven appearances in the first couple of months of the season, Bandeira has found it hard to force himself into the first team squad in recent weeks.
“Both clubs decided that it was best for Mauro to cut short the loan and return to North London.
“Colchester United wish Mauro well in his future football career.”