Youth star Scott joins Shrimpers

SCOTT SPENCER: Six-month contract.

SCOTT SPENCER, rated as one of the hottest striking prospects in the country when he signed for Everton as a 17-year-old, has agreed a deal at League One side Southend.

The former Athletic youth team star, now 21, joined the Toffees after leaving Boundary Park in May of 2006 in a deal worth an initial £200,000.

Since then, Spencer’s career has not hit the predicted heights. Failing to make a first-team appearance for Everton, he was loaned to Yeovil and Macclesfield in the 2007-08 season and came off the bench three times for the Silkmen without scoring.

Spencer joined Rochdale on a non-contract basis following his summer release from Goodison Park, playing five times before disappearing off the scene once more.

Now, the forward — who hit 29 goals for the youth team in his first year as a trainee, catching the eye of Premier League scouts — has been handed a six-month contract with the option of a further year at Roots Hall, following a successful trial spell in which he netted twice in one game for the reserves.

Shrimpers boss Steve Tilson told the club’s official website: “He has a good appetite and impressed in both the game he played in with the reserves and in training.

“He’s hungry to do well and we’ve given him the opportunity so it’s worked well both ways. It’s certainly worth the punt.”