Francis happy with Shrimps deal

Simon Francis insists he saw no reason to leave Southend before signing a new three-year deal.

Defender never wanted to leave Roots Hall

Simon Francis insists he saw no reason to leave Southend United before signing a new three-year contract. The defender had been placed on the transfer list by manager Steve Tilson last month after originally rejecting a new deal. But Francis, who had 12 months remaining on his previous contract, eventually agreed terms to stay at Roots Hall. The former Sheffield United youngster has now put pen-to-paper and is happy to pledge his future to the League One club.

Delighted

"I'm delighted to have finally signed the new deal," Francis told the club's official website. "It has been a long time coming and I just wanted to get it sorted as soon as I got back from holiday. "I always knew that I wanted to sign again as soon as the club said they wanted to keep me. "There is no reason why I would want to leave Southend and I'm just happy to have signed."