Harry Cardwell is in his second stint as a Shrimper having rejoined the club on loan from Forest Green Rovers in December 2025.

The former Scotland U21 spent his youth career at Hull City and Reading before signing for Grimsby Town in 2017. After 53 EFL appearances, the striker moved on to Chorley in 2020, where he was instrumental in the Magpies’ historic FA Cup run in 2020/21 – including scoring the equaliser in the 3-2 comeback win away at Wigan Athletic.

Cardwell then spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on loan at Stockport County following the curtailment of the National League North, featuring 19 times and grabbing six goals as the Hatters fell short in the National League Play-Offs.

In January 2022, Cardwell arrived in South Essex for the first time and netted 27 times in 81 National League appearances, including 18 goals during the 2023/24 campaign that made him a popular figure among supporters.

However, recently relegated Forest Green Rovers secured the striker's signature a couple of weeks into the 2024/25 season, taking his goalscoring efforts to Gloucestershire where he featured against the Shrimpers during our National League Play-Off Semi-Final win.

Cardwell marked his return to Southend with a goal on his (second) home debut in our 4-0 win over Truro City in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

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