ROB KIERNAN is pleased to be reunited with Southend boss Phil Brown after he became the latest first team player to quit Rangers.

The Light Blues agreed an undisclosed fee with United for Kiernan and the defender put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal on Thursday.

The 26-year-old was an integral part of Mark Warburton’s plans during his first year at Ibrox as the Gers lifted the Championship crown and Petrofac Training Cup.

But he struggled for form when he made the step up to the Premiership last time out and repeatedly came under-fire from a disgruntled Ibrox support.

Kiernan made just one appearance under Pedro Caixinha following his appointment as Warburton’s successor and was told he had no future at the club this summer.

The likes of Joe Garner, Matt Crooks and Michael O’Halloran have quit the Light Blues in recent weeks and Kiernan has now followed suit after falling down the pecking order.

The Englishman was previously on loan at Roots Hall four years ago and he is delighted to be back at the League One outfit as he looks ahead to the new campaign.

He said: “It’s been a little bit of a long process but it’s good to get it over the line and I’m looking forward to getting going.

“I’ve worked with Phil before and he’s been great to me. My loan got cut a bit short and I got recalled back to Wigan but it’s nice to link up again and hopefully I can do well for him.

“I’m glad it’s all sorted and I can get ready for the season ahead.”