Eastleigh skipper Daryl McMahon has left the club to join the Spitfires’ Blue Square Bet South rivals Dover Athletic.
The Whites, who currently sit in seventh place in the Blue Square Bet South table, tried to prise the 28-year-old Irishman away from the Silverlake twice in the past week and were finally successful with a third bid yesterday.
Eastleigh director Stewart Donald said: “We are obviously extremely disappointed to lose Daryl to a club that we perceive is one of our closest rivals at this time.
“However, Dover matched our valuation and we feel the deal represents good value for the football club.
“Although only having been at the Silverlake a short while Daryl had become a popular figure at the club and the fact we made him club captain shows what we think of him.”
Manager Richard Hill added: ‘‘Daryl was keen to speak to Dover when I told him they had made an official approach and that the clubs had potentially agreed a fee.
“I would never stand in anybody’s way once they have decided to move on and I wish Daryl well in his future career.’’
For more Eastleigh news, see today’s Pink
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