Defender turns down Shrimpers

Blues boss Steve Tilson was hoping the 27-year-old Iriekpen was going to join on a free transfer but instead has decided to join Scottish Premier League team Hamilton Academical.

The lure of playing at Celtic Park rather than Victoria Park proved too much

Tilly told the Echo: "I was initially disappointed by Izzy's decision to go elsewhere but I only want players who want to come and play for Southend. We had been holding talks with him but he obviously doesn't want to be here and we don't need people like that."

The Iriekpen Files

Personal information
Full name	Ezomo Iriekpen
Date of birth	14 May 1982 (1982-05-14) (age 27)
Place of birth	East London, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Hamilton Academical
Senior career1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1998-2003 2002 2003 2003-2007 2007-2009 2009 2009-	West Ham United → Leyton Orient (loan) → Cambridge United (loan) Swansea City Scunthorpe United Bristol City Hamilton Academical	000 0(0) 005 0(1) 013 0(1) 123 0(7) 033 0(5) 008 0(0) 000 0(0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11:54, 27 July 2009 (UCT). * Appearances (Goals)

(Player info supplied by Wikipedia, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izzy_Iriekpen)