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Jamal Campbell-Ryce has joined Barnsley from Blues

JAMAL Campbell-Ryce today insisted he was leaving Southend United with a heavy heart.

The skilful winger, who spent two years with the Shrimpers, opted to join Barnsley in a £250,000 move on transfer deadline day.

But it was only his desire to play at a higher level which persuaded him to leave Roots Hall.

"Everybody wants to do the best they can and reach the highest level possible," Campbell-Ryce told the Echo.

"I'm no different so when the chance to move back into the Championship came along I felt I had to take it.

"When you look back at your career you want to know that you took every opportunity you could and hopefully one day I can go on and play in the Premier League."

Campbell-Ryce joined Southend, originally on loan, from Rotherham United in September 2005.

But he was forced to wait until a Football League hearing made the move permanent for £30,000 and that meant the winger endured a frustrating five months on the sidelines.

The midfielder eventually returned for the start of last season and went on to become one of the Shrimpers' most consistent players during their relegation from the Championship.

"I had a great time with Southend," said Campbell-Ryce who scored twice in 69 games for Blues.

"It was slow to start with because of everything that happened but to go on and win League One like we did was fantastic.

"It was a bit of a downer to get relegated last year like we did straight away but I still loved it there.

"The management team are fantastic, the lads are great and the fans are marvellous too - they were always brilliant towards me."

As a result, the 24-year-old would like to the Shrimpers return to winning ways.

And he is confident they can work their way back up into the Championship despite his departure.

"There is a lot of quality in that dressing room and they can go and do it again, they just have to believe that they can," said Campbell-Ryce.

"I hope nobody thinks I've jumped ship or anything like that.

"Southend will always be one of the first results I look out for and I would like thank everyone who made my time there so good and wish them all the best for the future."

9:09am Monday 3rd September 2007

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