Southend United have handed professional contracts to four academy graduates, cementing their place in the club’s fresh Under‑23 side as the Shrimpers sit 6th in the England National League with 81 points, 23 wins, 12 draws and 11 losses from 46 games.

Who signed and what does it mean?

Striker Jack Stone renewed his deal to stay at Roots Hall, while goalkeeper Joshua Barrett, left‑back Mitchell Ward and forward Nikolay Zlatev each signed their first professional contracts. The quartet joins a new Under‑23 squad designed to bridge youth football and the first team, giving them a clear pathway to senior action.

Why is the Under‑23 squad important for Southend?

Youth coach Danny Heath explained that the group will train with the first team at times and receive specialist sessions, offering full‑time coaching. He believes the step “allows us to challenge all the boys going through our programme who know that if they put the work in they can create opportunities for themselves.” The squad will also feature in at least one match per month, starting with a pre‑season friendly against Romford on Saturday.

How does this fit into Southend’s current season?

Southend have scored 83 goals and conceded 47 this campaign, a +36 goal difference, but sit 27 points behind leaders York in the title race. Their last result was a 0‑0 draw with Wealdstone on 17 May 2026, and recent form reads as WLWWD (one win, two draws, two losses). Adding home‑grown talent could inject fresh energy as the club pushes for a top‑six finish.

What’s next for the new professionals?

The four youngsters will train under Heath, assisted by Oisin Seager and Tom Bailey, and will be monitored closely for first‑team opportunities. Their progress will be measured against the club’s ambition to climb the table and close the gap to York. Fans can expect to see them in the upcoming friendly and potentially in league matches if they impress.

Southend’s strategy of promoting from within reflects a broader commitment to sustainable growth, and the new contracts signal confidence in the club’s youth pipeline as the Shrimpers continue their National League campaign.