BONDZ N’Gala has today signed for League One outfit Gillingham after parting company with Eastleigh on Tuesday.

Much to the surprise of Spitfires fans, N’Gala was released by mutual consent – little more than two months after joining the National League outfit for a reported club record fee of £60,000 from Barnet in November.

The 27-year-old centre-back, who made just nine league appearances in an Eastleigh shirt, has signed for the Gills until the end of the season.

By making N’Gala a free agent, the Spitfires recouped none of the transfer fee, but manager Martin Allen – who was Barnet boss when the powerfully-built defender left The Hive – says it still made financial sense to release him.

“Of course it was a loss in one area, but in other areas it was a big saving,” he said. “The budget needed to be cut and we’ve made a big saving on his contract. It's money that comes into the pot."

N’Gala, who has over 250 pro games behind him, said: “I’m delighted to join the Gills. They’re an established League One side and I’m very excited for what’s ahead.

“I’ve played at this level before, so I know the quality of the strikers, but I’m ready for that challenge.”

N’Gala, Ady Pennock’s fifth signing as Gills head coach, joins AFC Bournemouth loan duo Harrick Cornick and Joe Quigley at Priestfield.

His farewell appearance for Eastleigh came last Saturday when he was given a tough time by visiting striker Gozie Ugwu, who scored in a shock 1-0 Woking win.

The Spitfires’ dire performance that day prompted Allen to shuffle the pack again with N’Gala departing and young loan midfielders Sam Matthews and Ben Close joining from AFC Bournemouth and Portsmouth respectively.

“I felt changes were needed,” said Allen. “It was a performance I wasn’t happy with and there have been quite a few of those since I’ve been here.

“I’ve watched Ben Close loads with Portsmouth and I’ve seen Sam Matthews play for Braintree (on loan) and Bournemouth. They’re both good players who will bring fresh legs and energy.”

On the same day their record signing departed, Eastleigh also bid farewell to top scorer Mikael Mandron, sold to Championship strugglers Wigan.

The fee was undisclosed, but Spitfires chairman Stewart Donald has confirmed that it exceeded the club record sum received for Luke Coulson from Barnet and, with add-ons, could rise to just over £100,000 depending on appearances and goals - good business for a player signed on a free transfer from Sunderland last summer.

Eastleigh have no game this weekend and return to National League action at Guiseley on Saturday week (February 11).