Last updated on .From the section Football

Anton Ferdinand had a spell in Turkish football before joining Reading in August 2014

Southend United have signed centre-back Anton Ferdinand on a one-year deal.

The 31-year-old, who began his career at West Ham and later joined Sunderland for £8m, was a free agent after leaving Reading earlier this summer.

Ferdinand could make his Southend debut in Tuesday's Checkatrade Trophy game against Brighton.

"I'm hoping to play regularly and prove to people I can still play in English football at this level and at a higher level," he told the club website. external-link

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