FORMER Southend United midfielder Jack Payne has joined Charlton Athletic on a two-year deal.

Payne had been with Swindon Town since 2020 but he is now looking forward to a new challenge.

And the 27-year-old told the club's website he is looking forward to working with Addicks boss Ben Garner again.

“I have played under the gaffer before and got on really well with him,” said Payne.

“I played some of my best football under him and I am just looking to recreate that here.

“He spoke so highly of the club and it was a massive factor, as well as many other reasons, in me wanting to be here.”

Payne came through the youth system with the Shrimpers and went on to score 17 goals in 88 games for the club before leaving in 2016.

Payne, who helped Blues win promotion via the League Two play-offs, has gone on to play for Huddersfield, Oxford, Blackburn, Bradford and Lincoln.

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