Southend United have signed Michael Turner on a free transfer following his release by Norwich City as confirmed by the club website.
The 33-year-old defender joined Norwich back in 2012 and after being a regular for a few years, he ended up being frozen out and was forced to head out on loan to clubs such as Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday in order to carry on playing first team football. It was no surprise to see him getting released at the end of his contract this summer but now he has a new club to play for going into next season.
Turner has penned a one-year deal with Southend and will be looking to be a regular in their defence as the Shrimpers hope to challenge for a place in the Sky Bet League One play-offs. He has been the rock in many defences over his career including the likes of Hull City and Sunderland so he should be able to make a big impact for Southend now that he is set to be playing at Roots Hall for a year. This move also gives him the chance to reunite with Phil Brown, who he worked with at Hull back in the late 2000s.
After he completed his move to Southend, Turner said: “Phil Brown was one of the main reasons I’ve come to the club.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time under him at Hull. We had a successful period there and I’m looking to do something similar here.”
“I played with Anton (Ferdinand) for a couple of years at Sunderland so we know each other well and each other’s game well.”
“If it’s me and Anton together I’m sure, hopefully, that it will work.”
