Southend United manager Steve Tilson has signed goalkeeper Ian Joyce on a free transfer following his release from Watford.The 22-year old American will provide competition for another new signing, Steve Mildenhall, after last season's number one Darryl Flahavan quit the club for Crystal Palace.

The Shrimpers' fifth summer signing told the club's official website: "I'm very happy to have signed for Southend.

"I think that it is a great opportunity for both me and the club. I hope to come and do a good job for Southend and I'm really looking forward to the season.

"I know all about Southend; it's a great club and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity.

"I just got back into England on Sunday night and I think everything was sorted out while I was away that I was going to come here this season.

"I had my first day of training with Southend on Tuesday and I met all the boys.

"There is a great atmosphere amongst the squad and I'm really excited for the season to get going.

"I trained here once with Southend last season and met a bunch of the players and the staff and everything from there is just history.

"I'm really happy to put pen-to-paper today and can't wait to get the season going now.

"I was with Watford last year and we parted ways at the end of the season, but I'm happy to have landed where I am now.

"Watford was a great club to kick off my career and now I'm excited to be back in England."

Striker Charlie MacDonald, meanwhile, has completed his move to League two side Brentford for an undisclosed fee.

MacDonald joined the Shrimpers from Ebbsfleet last June and scored five goals for the club in total.

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