Oscar Thorn has revealed Colchester United was always at the front of his mind once it became clear he would be leaving Lincoln City on loan this summer.
The 22-year-old has returned to his former club for the season, less than a year after moving from Colchester to the Imps. Thorn endured a difficult first campaign at Sincil Bank, with ankle surgery restricting his opportunities as City went on to win promotion to the Championship.
Speaking to Gazette News after his return, he admitted the injury made his first year with us a stop-start one.
“It’s been really good at Lincoln,” said the winger.
“It was obviously a mental season last year. For myself, I had an injury and a surgery so it was a bit of a stop-start season for me but I’m ready to just get going here, get some games and hopefully, do really well here.
“The injury was tough but it’s mental resilience and it was something different in my career so far and something that I’ve had to put up with.”
Thorn joined City from Colchester in August 2025 on a four-year contract, having broken into the U’s first team during the previous campaign. He made three league appearances for the Imps last season, with injury preventing him from building any real momentum.
A productive pre-season has at least given him a platform heading into his loan spell. Thorn started Colchester’s Carabao Cup tie with Southampton last weekend and played 67 minutes, and he believes he is now ready to show the qualities that initially persuaded City to bring him to Sincil Bank.
“Now I’m ready to get on the pitch and play some games,” he added.
“I want to contribute in every game I play. I think the fans know how I play, I just like to get the ball and get things going, so hopefully I can do that, this season.
“My pre-season was really good, I played a lot of minutes and feel really fit, so I’m ready to go.”
The move also sees Thorn reunited with Danny and Nicky Cowley. Danny remains Colchester’s head coach, with Nicky alongside him as assistant, having previously worked together at Sincil Bank between 2016 and 2019.
Thorn confirmed that contact with the pair had continued after his move to City and that returning to Essex was something he wanted once a loan became likely.
“It had been in the pipeline. I’d had constant conversations with Nicky and Dan over the last few weeks and months and when I knew a loan was imminent, Colchester was in the forefront of my mind.
“I had a really good time here when I was here and I know that I can thrive here, so it was one that I really wanted to get done when I knew it was a possibility.”
City still have him under contract until 2029, so this season should be viewed as an important development year rather than any indication that his time with the Imps is finished. If Thorn can stay fit and rediscover the form which brought him to our attention in the first place, we could welcome back a considerably more experienced player next summer.
Comments Welcome!