FORMER Southend United youngster Kenny Coker has joined Chelmsford City on loan from Norwich City.

Coker made five appearances while with the Shrimpers and is the third youngest players in the club's history after making his first team debut aged 16 years and 83 days before joining Norwich in May 2021.

Coker has yet to make a senior appearance for the Canaries but will now be looking forward to sampling first team football with the Clarets who are currently 11th in National League South.

City boss Robbie Simpson told the club's website: "Kenny is someone that came up when we started looking actively for another forward option.

"He has obviously played in Essex before, with Southend where he featured in the League at a young age and even playing against Norwich.

"They took a keen interest in him and obviously decided to pay the money to get him and bring him onboard."

And Simpson feels 19-year-old Coker has improved since his spell with the Shrimpers

Simpson added: "He has continued his development at Norwich and become a better player, there is no doubt about that.

"Norwich are a top Championship club and thus opportunities have been limited for Kenny but he is now looking to get regular men’s football to continue his development.

"I believe that he is exactly what we are looking for as well.

"Norwich gave us a privilege for allowing him to train with us for a week and we liked what we saw, so it was then down to striking a deal and how quickly we could do that. Norwich have been absolutely fantastic in that regard as well.

"We are delighted with this loan and we are really grateful to have Kenny added to our forward options, to bring about competition and provide help for each other in certain games."

Coker could make his Chelmsford debut in Tuesday night's match at Dartford.