FORMER Southend United winger Sam Barratt has returned to Maidenhead.

The 25-year-old joined Blues from the Magpies in 2018 but suffered a serious cruciate ligament shortly after signing and made just 10 appearances before leaving Roots Hall in the summer.

But Barratt has now headed back to Maidenhead in the National League this season.

And the club's chief scout Lee Devonshire is thrilled to have him back.

“It is great to have Sam back and he needs no introduction as we all know what he can do," Devonshire told the club's official website.

"It's another very positive acquisition for us and we now feel that we are ready to go for the new season”.