HAVANT & Waterlooville have clinched the signature of French striker Norman Sylla from Banbury United.

The 20-year-old, who hails from the outskirts of Paris, has signed a two-year contract and will underline his commitment to the Hawks by moving down to live in the North End area of Portsmouth.

Sylla began his career with French Division 3 club Red Star Paris and then joined Oxford United before being released as a 19-year-old due to lack of first-team opportunities.

He took the Dr Martens Eastern Division by storm last season, scoring 41 goals in all competitions and landing trials with Premiership giants Chelsea.

He joins a potent-looking Hawks strikeforce which already includes James Taylor, last season's Premier Division golden boot winner, and former AFC Bournemouth frontman David Town.

Hawks secretary Trevor Brock said: "Norman looks the splitting image of Patrick Vieira, only he's much leaner. One of the big attractions of coming here is that we've got the cross-channel link that makes it easy for him to go home and visit his family."

Hawks, who earlier this week signed goalkeeper Gareth Howells from Aldershot Town, are still in negotiations with Walsall about a fee for last season's No 1 Arron Kerr. The Midlanders announced they had signed Kerr, but the youngster is still under contact at Westleigh Park.

Hawks face a tough start to the Premier Division campaign, travelling to Worcester City on August 16 and entertaining newly-promoted Dorchester Town two days later.

Dr Martens League opening week fixtures

Saturday, August 16

Premier Division: Chelmsford v Bath City, Crawley v Merthyr Tydfil, Dorchester v Hinckley, Eastbourne v Stafford, Grantham v Dover, Hednesford v Weymouth, Newport County v Welling, Nuneaton v Chippenham, Tiverton v Moor Green, Weston-super-Mare v Cambridge City, Worcester v Havant & Waterlooville.

Eastern Division: Ashford v Banbury, Dartford v Bashley, Eastleigh v Kings Lynn, Erith & Belvedere v Burnham, Fisher v Newport IoW, Fleet v Tonbridge, Hastings v Corby, Histon v Chatham, Rothwell v Folkestone, Stamford v Sittingbourne.

Sunday, August 17

Eastern Division: Salisbury v Burgess Hill.

Monday, August 18

Premier Division: Havant & Waterlooville v Dorchester.

Tuesday, August 19

Premier Division: Bath v Weston-super-Mare, Cambridge v Chelmsford, Dover v Crawley, Hinckley v Hednesford, Merthyr Tydfil v Worcester, Moor Green v Grantham, Stafford v Nuneaton, Welling v Eastbourne, Weymouth v Newport County.

Eastern Division: Banbury v Histon, Bashley v Eastleigh, Burnham v Salisbury, Chatham v Fisher, Folkestone v Hastings, Kings Lynn v Rothwell, Newport IoW v Fleet, Sittingbourne v Ashford, Tonbridge v Erith & Belvedere.

Wednesday, August 20

DR MARTENS LEAGUE

Premier Division: Chippenham v Tiverton

Eastern Division: Burgess Hill v Dartford, Corby v Stamford.