SOUTHEND United youngster Keith Asare has been snapped up by Nottingham Forest, just weeks after making a contentious FA Youth Cup debut for the Shrimpers.

Asare came on for Blues in the first round clash at Barton Rovers before it was discovered he was too young to play in the competition, resulting in the tie having to be replayed.

But the promising midfielder has now moved on after catching the eye of the Championship club.

And Southend’s youth team chief Ricky Duncan insisted it would have been impossible to keep Asare at Roots Hall.

“It’s certainly been an eventful few weeks for Keith and we did all we could to keep him but it wasn’t possible with the way the game has gone now with the EPPP rulings,” said Duncan.

“There’s money up front for us and then there are further clauses in the deal which will result in us receiving more but it’s good for us to be producing these type of players.

“Lots of big clubs are always keeping tabs on us which shows we do things properly but we obviously don’t want to be selling them all.

“We want to produce players for the first team here and there are still plenty of very talented youngsters coming through who are definitely capable of doing that if they keep on working hard.”

However, Asare will now be looking to do the same at Forest.

And Duncan hopes to see the talented teenager succeed at the City Ground.

“Keith has a fantastic attitude and his willingness to become a footballer is probably the best I’ve ever come across in football,” said Duncan.

“He’s never been late for anything and he’s now got himself a good move which I really hope goes well for him.”

Asare also becomes the second Blues player to have joined Forest this year after full-back Jordan Gabriel also made the move back in February.