Southend United have been linked with a move for former St Johnstone skipper Joe Shaughnessy as reported by the Scottish Sun.
The twenty-seven-year-old is currently a free agent after rejecting the offer of a new deal and leaving the Saints at the end of last season. The report claims Southend have stepped in to offer the Irishman a trial to prove his worth and earn a contract in the EFL
The central defender made one hundred and sixty-nine appearances for St Johnstone after arriving at McDiarmid Park from Aberdeen in 2015. He was made captain in 2017 and became a key player for the Saints with a string of commanding performances in the heart of their defence.
It was rumoured that a return to Pittodrie was on the cards, but the report claims the former Republic of Ireland international has long-held ambitions to play in England and this caused the move to stall.
Southend have already raided the SPFL this summer, signing former Dundee defender Nathan Ralph, and Shaughnessy is set to join him at the League One outfit if he impresses.
Our View
Shaughnessy would be a decent signing for Southend who need to strengthen in the centre of defence and add leadership qualities to a squad that drifted and lacked direction last season.
He was considered lightweight by some in Scotland, but he is an established performer in the Scottish Premiership and produced some outstanding displays for the Saints who wanted to keep him.
It could well be another astute piece of business by Kevin Bond as he looks to make Southend far more competitive in League One next season.
