Kane Ferdinand: Still on a youth team contract at the moment
18-year-old Kane Ferdinand made a decent senior debut in the 2-0 win away to Oxford United back on New Year's Day replacing an injured Anthony Grant, gaining a fair six out of ten mark.
He hasn't looked back since with many of the faithful believing Kane is a stronger long term prospect than even the present hero Bilel Mohsni.
International call-ups at Under-18 and 19 level with the Republic of Ireland through his Dad, Kane has looked very good indeed with a calm head and a nice line in short but sharp passing playing in front of the back four.
It's allowed captain Craig Easton to move further forward and Granty even further, and has made a big difference to the side offensively with confidence levels now at a season high, unbeaten in five and a couple of points away from the play-off zone.
But the poor lad is still only getting the same dosh as the under-18's allowing him the odd trip to McDonalds, luckily Blues boss Paul Sturrock is on the case.
Sturrock told www.echo-news.co.uk: "We're in talks with Kane about upgrading his contract. He's still on a youth team contract at the moment but has done very well in the first team. I think it says it all when you see that our results have improved since he came in to the team."
Ferdinand attended a Shrimpers open trials day four years ago and Luggy can't be happy enough for the lad, another triumph for Head of Youth Ricky Duncan.
Sturrock concluded: "I'm really pleased for Kane. He came in at a difficult time for the team because we weren't doing well at home. He's looked a man though and his pace has been a real benefit for us in there. His reading of the game is excellent and he also seems to be taking the ball a lot more now too. I'm sure he has a lot of years ahead of him at Southend United."
Kane and the Irish connection:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/feat/edb1/
young_shrimpers_receive_international_callups_627574/index.shtml