Dickinson, Kalala and Leonard join Southend United
Last updated on .From the section Football
Southend United have completed the triple signing of Liam Dickinson, Jean-Paul Kalala and Ryan Leonard, all on one-year deals.
Defender Leonard, 19, and midfielder Kalala, 29, had been on trial with the Shrimpers after leaving Plymouth and Bristol Rovers respectively.
Dickinson, 25, , less than one week after joining the Home Park club.
Southend have the option of a further 12 months on all three deals.
"Liam's a good size and he had a good goalscoring record in this division a few seasons ago with Stockport County," Southend boss Paul Sturrock told the club website.
"That got him a big move to Derby but since then he's been a bit nomadic but we feel he has the attributes to be a success here."
The frontman has had permanent spells with Stockport, Derby, Barnsley and Brighton, but a series of loan stints has seen him rack up 10 clubs in total.
He switched to Barnsley last summer from Brighton, but went on to make just four appearances, three of which were off the bench, before making his ill-fated move to Plymouth, which was brought to an end for "personal reasons".
Congolese Kalala, who has represented Grimsby, Yeovil and Oldham, joined Bristol Rovers in January, but was released in June after making 11 league appearances.
"Jean-Paul is a tenacious player and he can pack a punch in midfield," said Sturrock
"We lack that a little bit and so I was keen to bring someone in who can play that role."
Full-back Leonard, an Argyle youth product, made one senior appearance for the Pilgrims and gained experience during loan spells at Weston-super-Mare and Tiverton.
"Right-back is probably the only place in the squad where we didn't have any competition or back-up so it's a good signing for us," added Sturrock.
