FORMER Saints and Stoke City defender Harvey Read has become Eastleigh’s youngest summer signing.

The 18-year-old centre-back has been on trial with the Spitfires over the course of pre-season and impressed manager Richard Hill.

The Eastleigh boss said: “Harvey has been with us for a few weeks and I like the look of what I see.

“I’m delighted to sign someone of his talent, especially with a number of League clubs looking to acquire his services.”

Read, who hails from Lyndhurst, joined Stoke’s scholarship programme as an under-16 having previously spent time with Southampton.

He progressed to The Potters’ under-18 and under-23 sides and played his part in getting Stoke to the semi-finals of the last season's FA Youth Cup.

Described in the Stoke media as a “no-nonsense centre-back who enjoys a good contest,” Read was released at the end of last season after three years in The Potteries.

He has been handed the Spitfires’ No23 shirt ahead of the new National League campaign.