Rebels midfielder Chambers-Parillon joins Southend United for an undisclosed fee

Leon Chambers-Parillon. Photo: George Beck

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Midfielder Leon Chambers-Parillon’s impressive performances this season have seen him earn a move from Slough Town to Southend United in the National League for an undisclosed fee.

Chambers-Parillon has been one of the Rebels' stand-out performers this season and was an ever-present when fit under player manager Scott Davies.

Those performances have not gone unnoticed by the decision makers at Southend who this week swooped to bring him to Roots Hall.

The player was at the club yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) to put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal and to complete his medical.

He wasn't registered in time for the Shrimper's 2-0 win over AFC Fylde in the National League but will look to play a part in the their play-off push in the closing months of the season.

The 23-year-old midfielder broke through at Oxford United where he made eight appearances before leaving for short spells with Gloucester, Havant & Waterlooville.

He initially joined the Rebels on loan in April 2022 before joining on a permanent deal in the summer of 2023.

His performances have gone from strength to strength this season and he’s also chipped in with his fair share of goals – including a couple of belters from outside the area against Worthing and Salisbury.

Before Christmas the club announced that he'd extended his contract until the end of the 2025/26 season, however, he felt he couldn't turn down the opportunity to join a former EFL club like Southend United, who pack out Roots Hall every week.

Speaking about his departure, Davies told the Express: “He’s signed for Southend on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

“It’s great that we’ve been able to produce a player and help him on his way.

“The beautiful thing is that we’ve managed to transform his career, he’s gone back to being a professional footballer.

“He was gutted to leave us but when a club like Southend comes calling, with them playing in front of 7,000 fans every week, it’s really difficult to turn down.

“He’s gone with our best wishes and to be honest with you, I’m really proud of him.”

Leon had the following message for supporters on leaving the club: “First, I have to say thank you to Scotty, Yella and every other member of staff at the club. I don't get to this point as a player without their support and commitment to the game. The same has to be said for my teammates. I've been lucky enough to share the pitch with some top guys that I'll be close with for a long time and I know they’ll go on to great things.

“Leaving a club like Slough is never a nice feeling as it feels like home, but the opportunity for me to return to full time football was too good to turn down at a club the size of Southend United.

“The love and reception I received from day one is a feeling you may never experience in your football career so I feel blessed to have had that from the ‘Rebel Army’.

“It has truly been a pleasure to play for and get to know a fanbase filled with so many incredible and loyal people. I can't thank everyone enough and even though I'm excited to see what's next for my career - Slough Town will be a part of me forever.

“I also want to thank Ash and the board for sorting the deal so that I can progress up the footballing pyramid. Scotty and Ash have always promised that they would never stand in my way if a return to full time became a reality, so I’m grateful that they’ve stuck true to their word and allowed me to do this.

“Lastly, I’ll always a Rebel and I’ll be back to watch the boys!

“Thank you and good luck.”

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It's been an unsettling week of comings and goings at Arbour Park with central defender Lexus Beeden and striker Kweku Lucan announcing that their time at the club had also come to an end.

The Rebels have though moved to bring in defender Guy Hollis in recent weeks as well as midfielder Johnny Goddard earlier in the season.

The latest player through the door is Australian-born left-sided defender Lewis Miccio, 26, who signed this week following his release from St Albans City.

“It’s one of those where we’ve offered a number of players contracts in the past couple of months when we were doing well,” said Davies.

“Those players maybe believed their hype a little bit. We were sat maybe sixth or seventh in the league and everyone is always looking for the next best thing.

“When players don’t want to commit to us, it’s difficult. Some of the lads have had good seasons individually, and now we’re playing for next to nothing, it’s difficult to tie them down for next season.

“The reason behind Lexus and Kweks is that we wanted to bring in some fresh faces, a bit more experience with Guy Hollis and Johnny Goddard and Lewis Miccio who have come in, but that means we’ve had to pave the way with some players leaving.

“That’s the reason why we’ve done that. I don’t regret the decision that we’ve made.”