FORMER Southend United attacker Jack Payne has joined Lincoln City.

Payne, who spent last season on loan with Bradford City, left Huddersfield Town last month.

And the 24-year-old is pleased to be teaming up with the Imps who won League Two last season.

“I am really looking forward to signing here on a permanent basis and learning more from two successful managers, who will hopefully be able to get the best out of me,” Payne told Lincoln’s official website.

“I have trained with the lads for the last couple of days and the standard is really high. I’ve been really impressed.

“I will work hard for the team. I am creative, and hopefully I can get the fans off their seats and excite them.”

Payne came through the youth ranks at Roots Hall and made 88 appearances for the first team before leaving in the summer of 2016.

The move will see Payne teaming up with Lincoln manager Danny Cowley who previously took charge at Concord Rangers and taught at FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh.

Payne is also likely to be joined at Lincoln by his former Shrimpers team-mate Ben Coker.