Exclusive: EFL club agree to sign Portsmouth striker

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Published on:

06 Jan 2021, 9:52 am

Southend United have agreed to sign Portsmouth striker Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, Football Insider can reveal.

He spent the first half of the season on loan at Bromley but that deal ended on 3 January.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider Portsmouth have now given the green light to Hackett-Fairchild heading to Southend.

The 22-year-old scored twice in nine National League games back at Hayes Lane after struggling to make his mark at Portsmouth.

He moved to Fratton Park from Bromley for an undisclosed fee in January 2020 but made just one appearance before heading back to Kent.

Bromley manager Neil Smith was left very impressed with Hackett-Fairchild's second spell at the club.

He told the Portsmouth News: "He's been an absolute pleasure. He's been getting stronger and stronger and in the last few games, he really established himself.

"Reeco is a better player now than when he left us to join Pompey. He's stronger mentally and had to deal with the knockbacks he's had."

Hackett-Fairchild now looks set to continue his development with League Two strugglers Southend.

The Shrimps are four points adrift of safety and sit bottom of the fourth-tier.

Mark Molesley's side have scored just 13 goals in their 20 league games and the manager will be hoping the former Charlton ace will bring some much-needed firepower.

Hackett-Fairchild has never played in League Two before and failed to find the net in 12 League One appearances with Charlton.

In other news, Football Insider can reveal Michael Duff is a leading contender for the managers job at Portsmouth's League One rivals Fleetwood Town.

Southend United

Portsmouth