EASTLEIGH club captain Joe Partington has joined  League One Bristol Rovers for a club record fee.

The 26-year-old was also attracting interest from League 2 pair Luton Town and Doncaster and Scottish club Partick Thistle.

Partington, who was in the last six months of his Eastleigh contract, initially joined the club on loan from Bournemouth in the second half of the 2014/15 season.

He made the move permanent during the summer of 2015 after being released by Cherries.

Partington, who can play across the defence and in midfield, had made 24 appearances this season - the last coming in a 1-1 home draw against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday.

That was his first outing since being sent off in the 4-3 loss at Southport on December 10.

An Eastleigh statement said: "Eastleigh FC can confirm that club captain Joe Partington has today left the club and joined Bristol Rovers for a club record transfer fee.

"The club gave Joe permission to speak with Bristol Rovers yesterday following an offer which activated a release clause in his contract.

"The club were in negotiations to extend Joe’s contract further, however with such a high level of interest bring shown from teams higher up the Pyramid it was always likely that his would be difficult to conclude.

"Joe has been an extremely popular member of the squad since signing and has made over 100 appearances for the club. He has conducted himself impeccably and is fully deserving if the opportunity to return to the Football league.

"Whilst the club are extremely disappointed to lose Joe, we are absolutely delighted for him personally.

"It is a fantastic move to a super club and we wish Joe well for the future and thank him for all his efforts whilst at our club.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bristol Rovers for the manner in which they approached the signing of Joe and especially that of their manager Darrell Clarke."