SOUTHEND United have completed the signing of striker Tom Hopper.

The 24-year-old – who was with Scunthorpe United last season – has signed a three year deal with the Shrimpers.

And Hopper is thrilled to have made the switch to Roots Hall.

“I’m delighted,” said Hopper.

“It’s been in the pipeline for a while and over the last couple of weeks conversations have been taking place so it’s nice to finally get down here and get it all sorted.

“The manager is someone I’ve crossed paths with in the past, his ambitions are quite clear and he sold that to me.

“He wants people here that want to be successful and want to push up this league and that’s something I want to be part of.”

Hopper – who played for Leicester City and Bury before joining Scunthorpe in 2015 – scored nine goals last season.

Included in that tally was the opening goal for the Iron at Roots Hall in Chris Powell’s first game in charge back in January.

And Hopper is now keen to keep on hitting the back of the net.

“Hopefully my goal here last season is a good omen and I’ll be scoring a few more down here,” said the forward.

“What the manager said was what I wanted to hear and hopefully that will continue to pay off.”

And Hopper was also encouraged to sign by his former Scunthorpe team-mate Sam Mantom who ended last season on loan with the Shrimpers.

“Sam was someone I spoke to a lot and he said he loved it here working with the players and the manager,” said Hopper.

“He didn’t have a bad word to say about the place and that coincided with the conversations I had with the manager.”

Hopper joins winger Sam Barratt is signing for Blues this summer.

And Powell is delighted to have bolstered his striking options.

“Tom is a striker that I’ve long admired,” said Powell.

“I’ve watched his career develop over the years.

“I came across him when I was a player/coach at Leicester but he was a young player learning his trade.

“He has good mobility, good size, he’s athletic and will get in behind but he will also link the play up and will challenge.

“He scored in my very first game as Southend manager so hopefully he’s got a taste of scoring goals at Roots Hall, but I think he will be a good addition.

“He’s at a good age where he will keep on learning as a player and I think the best is yet to come.”