Simon Francis has today signed a new three-year contract at Southend United.

The full-back arrived at Roots Hall to put pen-to-paper on a new deal that will keep the 23-year-old at the club until 2011.

And despite having been recently put on the transfer list, Francis admitted that there was never any doubt in his mind that he would be staying at Southend.

"I'm delighted to have finally signed the new deal," he told southendunited.co.uk.

"It has been a long time coming and I just wanted to get it sorted as soon as I got back from holiday.

"I always knew that I wanted to sign again as soon as the club said they wanted to keep me.

"I'd just landed in Las Vegas and had a few texts off family and friends who said that they couldn't believe I had been transfer listed.

"It was news to me and I rang my agent straight away. He assured me that it was not a problem because the contract was being sorted out.

"It is always the case with contract negotiations, as things aren't always going to be exactly what you want first time around.

"It is just a matter of discussing things and getting things right and in order, and that came around quite quickly in the end.

"It was then just a case of getting down here before pre-season started and getting things signed."

Francis played 35 games last season and scored three goals, as the Blues reached the play-off semi-finals, and is looking towards another promotion push this time around.

The Nottingham-born defender is firmly settled in the Essex area and is now chomping at the bit for pre-season to start - with a host of friendlies on the horizon.

"I'm very settled in the area," he said.

"I was renting in my first year here, but I've bought a place in Essex now and that all helps as part of the process.

"My family have been down a lot of times and they like the area.

"There is no reason why I would want to leave Southend and I'm just happy to have signed.

"Every season is getting bigger for the club and myself as well.

"We can't look at anything less than promotion this season really and hopefully, that can be automatic.

"The gaffer is obviously looking to bring in a few more players and we're moving on.

"With the new stadium on the horizon, Southend is a place that players will want to come and play."

He added: "Pre-season is always good and I'm looking forward to it.

"The gaffer and Brushy will be looking at how we are going to be playing this season and different formations.

"Pre-season is all about getting games under your belt and match fitness.

"We have got some good friendlies coming up against Fulham and Wycombe and it will also be good to play against non-league teams in the area as well."