EASTLEIGH have seriously upped the ante in the Vanarama National League promotion chase with one of their biggest signings to date.

The ambitious Stoneham Lane outfit have brought in commanding centre-back Ryan Cresswell who was part of Northampton Town's League Two title-winning squad last season.

The 28-year-old former Fleetwood, Rotherham and Southend defender, who had a year to run on his Northampton contract, joins the Spitfires for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

Cresswell had been with Northampton since September 2014 and made 67 appearances for the Cobblers in all competitions.

“I am delighted to sign Ryan,” smiled Eastleigh boss Chris Todd. “He is a quality defender at this level.

“He is a winner and another player who can help take this club forward.

“He is an excellent age and we have done some fantastic business today.”

Cresswell himself explained: “I could have stayed at Northampton and trained hard and pushed for a starting berth, but the manager (new boss Rob Page) seemed to make his mind up early that he wanted to bring his own players in.

“I’m all for that, it’s his choice. But when this move came up, it wasn’t something I could turn down."

On a busy day for Eastleigh, they have also snapped up another striker in the shape of 6ft 4in former Portsmouth targetman Ryan Bird from Yeovil Town.

A product of non-League football, 28-year-old Bird made his name scoring goals galore for Burnham before getting his professional break along the south coast with Pompey.

He went on to play for Cambridge United before signing a two-year contract for Yeovil last summer.

Bird, too, has joined the Spitfires for an undisclosed fee and more details of his contract will follow.

Both Cresswell and Bird were involved in tonight's 1-1 friendly draw at Gosport Borough.

Ross Lafayette gave the Spitfires a 40th-minute lead which was cancelled out by Eastleigh old boy Ben Wright.