FORMER Southend United youngster Stephy Mavididi has joined Montpellier from Juventus for £5.7million.

The 22-year-old striker was with the Shrimpers until the age of 13 when he joined Arsenal.

And Blues’ academy manager Ricky Duncan is thrilled to see Mavididi doing so well.

“It’s really good to see a player you’ve known from a young age go on to do so well,” said Duncan.

“When he was with us he was a really good finisher and had real pace too.

“He would get off the back of people really well and he caught a lot of attention.

“Arsenal were the ones who took him which was great for him.

“I saw him a few times for them and he never looked out of place from day one.

“He needed to improve technically but he’s certainly done that over the years.”

Mavididi was with Ligue One side Dijon on loan last season, scoring eight goals in 28 games.

But he was not the only member of his family to line up for the Shrimpers.

“His brother Shaun was with us but he’s with Arsenal now too so it will be interesting to see how he does too,” added Duncan.