Southend manager Steve Tilson has completed the signing of Arsenal defender Kerrea Gilbert on a six-month loan deal.

Gilbert, who was on loan for Cardiff last season, tore Southend apart when the Bluebirds played at Roots Hall with his pace and his overlapping runs.

The 20-year-old has played nine times for the Gunners, with two of those appearances coming from the substitutes bench.

The defender told Southend's official website: "I'm hoping to get a lot of first-team games here. I could have gone to a few teams but Southend were definitely the best option for me. It was an easy choice.

"I can't wait for the season to kick off. I just want to do my best for the team, play the best I can and take it from there."