CONFERENCE Premier newcomers Eastleigh have today unveiled experienced defender Paul Reid as their third summer signing.

The 32-year-old has joined Richard Hill’s Spitfires on a free transfer, penning a two-year deal at the Silverlake Stadium following his release from Northampton Town.

After catching the eye with his home town club Carlisle United, the 6ft 2in defender earned a £600,000 move to Rangers in 2000 – the same year he was capped by England under-19s.

He never played a first-team game for the Glasgow outfit and was loaned out to Preston North End and Northampton before agreeing a permanent deal with the Cobblers in 2003.

A move to Barnsley followed in July 2004 and he captained them to promotion from League One via the play-offs two years later.

Reid went on to make over 140 appearances for Carlisle, Colchester and Scunthorpe before Northampton released him at the end of his short-term contract in January.

He becomes Eastleigh boss Richard Hill’s third summer signing, following on from the frontline captures of James Constable and Jack Midson.

Eastleigh, meanwhile, are monitoring the situation of Salisbury City striker Ben Wright who scored 11 goals in 15 games on loan at the back end of last season to help fire the Spitfires to the Conference South title.