BARRY Corr has labelled leaving Southend United as the toughest decision of his career.

The striker, who has spent the last five years at Roots Hall, opted against remaining with the Shrimpers to sign for Cambridge United.

But Corr insisted it had been an incredibly tough call to make.

“I've had an absolutely fantastic five years with Southend, I love the lads and the fans have always been so good to me as well so of course it was a tough decision to make,” said the Irishman.

“We're all part of a Whats App group we have conversations on and reading all the messages from the lads once the news came out actually got me quite emotional.

“It hit home that I wouldn't be seeing them every day from now on and this has certainly been the toughest decision I've ever had to make in my career.

“But this is what happens in football and my last ever touch in a Southend shirt was setting up Joe Pigott to score at Wembley and we went on to win promotion so I'm glad to be going out on a high.”

Corr joined the Shrimpers on a free transfer during the summer of 2010 to again team up with manager Paul Sturrock.

The striker went on to score 63 goals in 183 games to become the club's 13th highest ever goalscorer.

And he remains delighted to have helped Blues get back into League One.

“When I first came to Southend it was out of loyalty to Paul Sturrock but I recall there being just three other players at the club on my first day and I did wonder what I had let myself in for,” said Corr.

“But other players came in and we've had some really good times.

“Winning promotion in my final season capped it all off and I'm happy to have helped get this club back into League One because it's where it deserves to be and this place will always mean a lot to me.

“I know I'm no Adam Barrett but I'll always feel a very special connection to the club.”

Corr's work-rate also made him a favourite among the fans.

And the striker revealed he had previously turned down more money from elsewhere to stay with the Shrimpers.

“A couple of years ago I was offered more money to go elsewhere but I wanted to stay at Southend due to what the club means to me,” said Corr.

“Quite early on in my time there Crawley also offered around £100,000 to buy me but I never entertained the idea of leaving then either because I wanted to get promotion with Southend.”

But having now helped the Shrimpers get back into League One, Corr felt the time was right to move on.

And he also felt Blues were not too bothered if he stayed.

“I would never want to speak badly of anyone at the club but they didn't really massively push to keep me,” said Corr.

“They left talking to me about a new deal a very long time and let my contract run out so other clubs started talking to my agent.

“One of those was Cambridge who are signing some really good players so I'm excited about teaming up with them.”

Corr now has his sights set on winning promotion with the U's and believes he will be better suited to lining up in their system.

“The manager wants to play two up front with two wingers and I think that will be good for me,” said the 30-year-old.

“I don't really enjoy playing up front on my own if I'm honest and I do feel as though a new challenge will bring the best out in me.”

Corr is therefore looking forward to getting started with Cambridge.

And he was keen to point out he had been in regular contact with the Shrimpers regarding his future, despite chairman Ron Martin claiming he had not been informed of the striker's decision.

“Southend knew I was talking to other clubs and I had spoken to the manager four or five times when he was on holiday in Spain,” said Corr.

“My agent had also been talking to Steve Kavanagh and it's unfortunate if that hadn't got back to the chairman.

“But I don't want to leave on bad terms because I've loved being part of the football club and I wish everyone all the very best for the future.”