SOUTHEND United have signed Zak Brunt and Kacper Lopata on loan from Sheffield United until January. 

Attacking midfielder Brunt and towering centre-back Lopata will both train with Blues tomorrow.

And Shrimpers head coach Kevin Maher is pleased to have brought the duo to Roots Hall.

“I’m delighted to have them both on board and both come highly recommended,” said Maher.

“We’ve been inundated with players, but these are two that were known to us and we know what they can add so we think they can be great additions.”

Brunt, 19, and Lopata, 20, have both played for the Blades twice in the League Cup this season.

Echo: Coming in - Kacper Lopata has joined Blues on loan from Sheffield UnitedComing in - Kacper Lopata has joined Blues on loan from Sheffield United

And the two players worked closely with Blues assistant coach Darren Currie during his spell coaching Sheffield United's under 23 side last season. 

“Darren [Currie] knows them having worked with them, and a couple other people that we’ve spoken to as well recommended them, so we’ve done our checks and watched a lot of video," said Maher.

"When you’re getting the right recommendations from the right people, and you follow that with your own eyes then I think they will be great additions for us.

 

“They play in areas that we identified we needed strengthening so I’m really pleased to get them over the line.

“They’ll be in with us tomorrow so we can assess where they’re at.

"I know they’ve been training and working hard so they will come into contention for the weekend.”

Brunt joined Sheffield United from Matlock Town in 2018 having previously had stints at Aston Villa, Manchester City, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid where he was unable to sign due to FIFA regulations. 

Lopata, who stands at six foot four inches tall, is a Polish youth international who started his career in England with Bristol City. 

He has spent time on loan with both Whitehawk and Polish second division outfit Zagłębie Sosnowiec.