Ranger given three-and-a-half-year Southend deal

The 25-year-old joined the League One Shrimpers on trial in the summer and has scored twice in nine appearances. Southend have not lost a game in which he has started.

Ranger’s Blackpool contract was finally terminated in February, 15 months after his last appearance for the club.

He made the last of his 14 appearances for Pool in November 2014, then wasn’t seen at the club for the rest of the season as he stayed away from training and matches.

He briefly returned to training at Bloomfield Road in September 2015, following invitations by then manager Neil McDonald.

Pool refused to terminate his two-year contract until the Football League intervened this year.