Top recruits delight Dyer

By Tom Blackett

Southend United boss Kieron Dyer believes the Shrimpers have pulled off a ‘massive coup’ by signing midfield duo Anthony Hartigan and Darren Oldaker.

The pair were unveiled as Dyer’s latest signings alongside the Shrimpers’ new kit for the 2026-27 season.

Skipper Hartigan, 26, won the National League with Dean Brennan’s Barnet in 2024-25 and made 32 appearances as the Bees finished eighth in League Two last term.

He left the Hive when his contract expired earlier this month and has now signed a three-year deal with the Shrimpers.

“Anthony is brave on the ball and great at building attacks,” said former England midfielder Dyer, who left his role as firstteam coach to Paul Cook at Chesterfield to become Southend manager a fortnight ago.

“Having come up against him and watched him with Chesterfield, we always had to get full pressure on him.

“The data shows he’s within the top two or three players in League Two for progressive passing, so to get him to join us is a big well done to everybody involved.”

Hartigan is joined at Roots Hall by another National League-winning midfielder in Oldaker.

The 27-year-old won the title with Chesterfield under Cook and Dyer in 2023-24 and arrives from League Two side Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee.

SMART WORK: New Southend signing Darren Oldaker at the club’s kit launch and, inset left, Anthony Hartigan

PICTURE: Nicky Hayes

“I’m really pleased and excited to be here,” said Oldaker, who has also played in League One for Gillingham. “Having played against Southend in the past, it’s a massive club.

“The conversations I had with the gaffer were really exciting, and I knew this was the place to continue playing my football.”

Dyer added: “Both Anthony and Darren have had promotions from the National League, both are capable of playing to a really high standard in League Two, and probably would be one of the best pairs in that league, so to get them in and joining the project is a massive coup.

“One of the first things I talked about is setting a culture, and they will be massive to that. They know what it takes and they’ll lead by example and help our less experienced players in the squad.

“I’m really happy with the transfers. It’s only the start but it’s fantastic and shows we mean business.”

However, the Shrimpers have lost midfielder Keenan Appiah-Forson, 24, to League Two Oldham.