Dartford have signed former Southend United midfielder Alex Woodyard.

The 20-year-old should go straight into the Darts squad for Saturday's home game against Alfreton Town in The Skrill Premier.

Woodyard played for the north Kent club against a Fulham XI last Saturday and manager Tony Burman gave him another run-out in midweek, when a Dartford XI took on VCD Athletic.

He came through Southend's youth system and spent three years as a senior player at Roots Hall.

Woodyard was loaned out to Braintree Town last season and he played at Princes Park when the Essex side held Dartford to a 0-0 draw on April 11.

Burman said: "Alex, a local Dartford lad, comes to us with a good pedigree having been at Southend United since the age of 16 and I am delighted to welcome him to Dartford FC."

Woodyard is Burman's ninth new signing of the summer.