Barnet striker Tony Richards will join Southend United today (Monday) for £36,000.

We first revealed last month that Blues boss David Webb was chasing the 27-year-old targetman to add some muscle to his forward-line.

Richards, who watched the Shrimpers' 2-2 draw at Kingstonian on Saturday, confirmed he would sign a two-year contract today (Monday).

"I've spoken with the Southend manager and everything is agreed - I'm looking forward to playing for Blues," he said.

Richards only moved to Underhill last season on a free transfer from Leyton Orient, scoring ten goals in 31 appearances.

But he admitted he was desperate for a quick return to League football following Barnet's relegation to the Football Conference.

"Everybody wants to play in the League and I'm no different," said Richards, who has also turned out for Cambridge United.

"When I got back off holiday a few weeks ago a couple of my mates told me they had heard rumours about interest from Southend.

"I just continued training with Barnet until something concrete happened, but now it's all gone through I'm very happy to be here."

And Richards, who can also play on the right of midfield, said he was hoping to establish himself quickly at Roots Hall.

"I prefer to play as a striker, but I'm quite happy to play in the midfield role to help out the team if I have to," he said.

"Things were going quite well for me at Barnet last year. But then Tony Cottee took over as manager and he started to chop and change things. The team suffered and so did I.

"But I'm looking forward to making a fresh start with Southend, who are a club I've always enjoyed playing against in the past.

"Hopefully, I can add a bit more muscle to Blues' front-line and rough-up a few defenders next season as we try to get out of the Third Division."

And Southend chief Webb was pleased with his seventh summer capture. "Tony gives us a couple of new options and I'm sure he'll do well for us," he said.

"He is an aggressive targetman who can get in amongst the opposition and unsettle them.

"Tony will also increase the competition among our strikers and give me another option in midfield if I need it."

Blues visit Ryman Premier League side Heybridge Swifts for a friendly tonight (7.45pm).

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