Rochdale have announced the signing of striker Stephen Humphrys from Southend on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old has returned to Dale for an undisclosed fee, with the Sky Bet League One outfit saying they have “beaten off competition from other clubs to secure his signature.”

Humphrys, who scored five times for Southend last term, was previously with Rochdale on loan in 2017-18, netting three times in 18 appearances.

He said on rochdaleafc.co.uk: “I’m so happy to be here.

“As soon as I heard there was interest, I 100% wanted to come back here, so I pushed my agent to do everything he could to get me here. I’m here now and I’m absolutely delighted.

“Brian (Barry-Murphy) is a manager with a lot of modern ideas – he wants to play Premier League-type football. We’ve just got a new pitch so that will help towards the way he wants to play, so I’m really excited.

“Hopefully that creates more chances for me to score goals, which is why I have been brought in. I’m hoping that I can get in the team and do my best for him.”