Southend United boss Alvin Martin revealed today that he has finally snapped up tough tackling German midfield star Lars Unger on loan from Fortuna Dusseldorf.

The 28-year-old jetted into England on Sunday night to thrash out the deal with Martin and will stay at Roots Hall until the end of the season.

Now Unger, who played in the Bundesliga for top German side Werder Bremen last season, is all

set to make his Southend debut at Halifax Town on Saturday.

"I'm delighted to have finally landed Lars because he is a quality player," said delighted Shrimpers chief Martin.

"Lars is a big, strong and mobile player with a proven pedigree who has played at the highest standard in his country.

"He will give us more of a physical presence in the centre of the park and I'm sure he'll have no problem coping with the rough and tumble of our game."

However, Martin was quick to deny that his latest capture, who has played in the European Champions League and at under-21 level for the German national team, would find his drop into the English Third Division a major culture shock.

"Lars is desperate to prove himself in our country and was happy to come and join us," explained Martin.

"The stadium he has been playing in at Dusseldorf holds 60,000 people, but they get very poor crowds unless they are playing one of the really big sides.

"Lars has seen our stadium and he knows what we're all about - he just can't wait to get involved."

Martin is also hoping to tie up another piece of wheeling and dealing this week by getting full-back Martyn Booty to put pen to paper on a permanent contract with Southend.

The 27-year-old, who can play at left or right-back, concluded a month's loan spell from Second

Division Reading at the weekend in the 2-2 draw at Rotherham.

Booty is out of contract at the end of the season and Martin is hopeful that he can persuade Royals boss Tommy Burns to let him leave the Madejski Stadium on a free transfer.

"I'm hoping to speak to Martyn some time this week and make him a permanent signing in time for our trip to Halifax," Martin said.

"He has been solid as a rock during his stay with us and has proved himself as a consistent performer - he is just the sort of experienced player I want at this club"

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.