Eastleigh have pulled off a major coup with the signing of ex-Ipswich midfielder Andy Drury from Luton Town on a free transfer.

Drury, who will wear the number 18 shirt, moves to the Silverlake Stadium with vast experience of the Championship, League One and League Two as well as a Conference winners’ medal around his neck.

Luton announced his departure by mutual consent on their official website before Eastleigh confirmed that Drury had put pen to paper on Stoneham Lane.

The Kent born midfielder, who is known for his versatility, has cost £250,000 in transfer fees during his career and will add further quality to the Spitfires as they prepare for the Vanarama National League season which starts on August 8 with a trip to Southport.

The 31-year-old Drury moved to Luton from Crawley last summer for £100,000, returning after spending three years away from Kenilworth Road as the club prepared for life in League Two following the Conference title campaign in 2013/14.

At the time, Hatters boss John Still admitted he was “absolutely thrilled” to secure the services of Drury, who helped Luton finish eighth in their return to the Football League.

The midfielder was initially whisked away from the Bedfordshire club in January 2011 for £150,000, when former Ipswich boss Paul Jewell made Drury his first permanent signing at the Championship club.

During his time in Suffolk, Drury had a loan spell at Crawley where he helped lay the foundations for promotion to League One before being recalled to Ipswich and playing a key role as the Tractor Boys surged back up the Championship in 2011/12.

Drury, who had spells at his home town Sittingbourne, Gravesend & Northfleet, Lewes and Stevenage Borough earlier in his career, made more than 60 appearances for the Portman Road outfit, and was a mainstay in the 2012/13 Championship season, before Crawley pounced on him after his contract expired.

The versatile midfielder, who won the Conference and FA Trophy with Stevenage, was influential for the Reds in 2013/14, with Luton offering a six-figure sum to bring him back after they were promoted.

Drury joins midfielders Josh Payne and Lee Cook, striker Ross Lafayette and defender Joe Partington as the Spitfires’ fifth summer signing.