Former Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Charlton winger Ricky Holmes seals move to Southend

The 33-year-old has signed a short-term deal with the Shrimpers and will see out the remainder of the 2020-21 season at Roots Hall.

The moves comes following a successful period of training with Mark Molesley’s side and after Holmes was allowed to leave Northampton at the start of January.

The 2013-14 News/Sports Mail Pompey player of the year featured 11 times for the Cobblers this term after arriving in October but was allowed to leave by boss Keith Curle, who has since been sacked by the League One outfit.

Joining Southend, who sit 22nd in the table, means Holmes will have played for nine different teams during a 14-year career.

He admitted he’s a boyhood fan of the club and told the Southend Echo: ‘It’s great to sign.

‘It’s been a good week of training with a game in there as well to show that I’m fully fit and I can’t wait to get going on Saturday.

‘The games are coming thick and fast so hopefully I can bring a lot to the team.

‘It’s been known over the years that I support Southend, I’m from the area and one day I said I’d hopefully come back after getting released as a kid, and thankfully it’s happened.’

Holmes made 62 appearances for Pompey between June 2013 and December 2014, scoring three goals.

He represents the third player with Pompey links to sign for Southend this season.

Blues winger Reeco Hackett-Fairchild is currently on loan at Roots Hall and has scored once in eight appearances.

Ex-Fratton favourite Greg Halford is also presently representing the Shrimpers.

He joined the Essex side after putting out on SOS message on social media website Linkedin offering to play for free to revive his career.