SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Harry Seaden feels the ‘hard work starts now’ after signing his first professional contract with the Shrimpers.

The 19-year-old has signed a year long deal with the option of a further 12 months to extend his spell at Roots Hall.

And Seaden – who made his first team debut last season – is keen to kick on.

“It’s a dream come true to sign my first professional contract and it’s what I’ve always been working towards but I know the hard work starts now,” said Seaden.

“I have to work even harder now to get to where I want to be and that’s definitely in and around the first team.”

Seaden will be entering his sixth season with Blues next term.

And he is eager to impress for his home-town club.

“It means a lot for me to be at Southend because from a very young age I would go to all the home games with my dad and my brother", said the Rayleigh based Seaden.

“It’s great to be here and with the way things have been for the club it could well be that youngsters keep getting more chances so we have to make sure we’re ready.

“I loved making my debut last season and would be great to stay involved.”

Seaden, whose debut came in a 1-0 defeat to Gillingham, represented England in his youth and is also looking to continue Blues’ production line of young goalkeepers.

“I think it’s always helped that there’s been someone to look up to,” said Seaden.

“Ted (Smith) had Daniel Bentley, Bish (Nathan Bishop) had Ted and I had Bish so when we were all coming through that definitely helped.

“I’ll be doing everything I can but I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead.”