EASTLEIGH boss Chris Todd has made his first summer signing, welcoming fellow Welshman David Pipe into the camp.

The 32-year-old former Newport County skipper, handed a senior Wales cap by Mark Hughes in 2003, has joined the Spitfires on a one-year deal after leaving National League rivals Forest Green Rovers.

Principally a right-sided midfielder or full-back, Caerphilly-born Pipe will be prized for his experience, versatility and leadership qualities.

He played his youth football at Coventry City, where he broke into the first team, aged 17, and made 20 appearances in the Championship.

Pipe then spent three seasons with Notts County and a further three years at Bristol Rovers, who paid £50,000 for his services in 2007.

After his release by the Pirates following a spell in prison for a nightclub assault, Pipe started afresh with Newport County where he captained the club to promotion via the Conference play-offs in 2013.

He made 29 appearances for the Exiles the following season and was released by boss Justin Edinburgh that summer.

He joined Forest Green on a two-year contract in May 2014, becoming club captain at The New Lawn.

Pipe ended 2014/15 having helped Forest Green to the National League (Conference) play-off semi-finals.

He went one step further last season, appearing at Wembley in the 3-1 promotion final defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town. It was the first time he had lost at the national stadium having won there twice before with Newport.

He was one of seven FGR players released the following day as new manager Mark Cooper officially took over.

Pipe, who has spoken of his attributes being his “strength and energy”, is a natural-born leader on and off the pitch.

Following the sacking of Ady Pennock at Forest Green a week before the play-offs, he supported interim boss Scott Bartlett by leading the pre-match warm-ups.

He told the local press: “I really enjoyed looking after the lads strength and conditioning-wise.”

Welcoming Pipe to the Silverlake Stadium, an Eastleigh statement said: “We are delighted to have captured a player of David’s calibre and experience.

“The club are hopeful of announcing a number of new signings in the coming weeks.”