CHARLTON Athletic are closing in on Southend United centre-back Peter Clarke.

The 27-year-old defender is available on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract at Roots Hall.

And sources close to both clubs have confirmed it is the Addicks who are currently leading the race to snap up the former England youth international.

“Peter is the type of player Charlton are looking for,” one insider told the Echo.

“He’s committed and reliable and, at this moment, it does seem likely that the move will go ahead.”

Clarke’s departure would come as a huge blow to Blues as he shone at the heart of the defence last term and was voted the club’s player of the season by both the Southend supporters and his team-mates.

Charlton are known to want a new centre-back as they struggled in that position during their previous campaign which saw them relegated from the Championship and into League One.

They even had to field experienced midfielder Matt Holland at the heart of the defence towards the end of the season and there are also doubts surrounding the future of another of their centre-backs already at the club, Matt Hudson.

Charlton boss Phil Parkinson was also seen watching the Shrimpers at Roots Hall last term and is known to be keen on Clarke but doubts surround his future at the Valley and the ownership of the club.

That has thrown some doubt on the deal but there is no denying that the current management want to sign Clarke who joined Southend from Blackpool for £300,000 in August 2006.

Since then he has made 150 appearances for Steve Tilson’s and the Blues boss is desperate for Clarke to stay.

However that now appears unlikely and the former Everton defender could well become the second successive player of the season to leave Roots Hall for Charlton as midfielder Nicky Bailey made the same move during the last campaign.

>BLUES will travel to Chelmsford City for a pre-season friendly on Saturday July 18, kick off 3pm and also to Barnet on Tuesday July 28, kick off 7.45pm.