Southend sign midfielders Oldaker and Hartigan

Southend United have signed two former National League-winning midfielders - Darren Oldaker from Swindon Town and former Barnet player Anthony Hartigan. Defensive midfielder Oldaker, 27, captained Chesterfield to the National League title in 2023-2024, before joining League Two Swindon Town last May. He went on to make 40 appearances for the Robins, scoring once in the league and once in the FA Cup. Southend said he had joined for an undisclosed fee. Central midfielder Hartigan won the National league title with Barnet in 2024-2025, before making 32 EFL appearances for the Bees in 2025-2026, scoring once. He joins on a free transfer after the expiry of his Barnet contract. Southend finished sixth in the National League last season, before losing their play-off eliminator away to Scunthorpe United. They will start the season under former Newcastle United and England midfielder Kieron Dyer who was appointed head coach earlier this month. Dyer replaced Kevin Maher, who was sacked on 19 May , just two days after Southend's win over Wealdstone in the FA Trophy final at Wembley. Dyer said: "Both have had promotions from the National League, both are capable of playing to a really high standard in League Two, and probably would be one of the best pairs in that league, so to get them in and joining the project is a massive coup." All done deals in June 2026