EASTLEIGH have made young defender Josh Hare their second signing of the summer.

The 23-year-old - nephew of Spitfires' boss Andy Hessenthaler -  has agreed a one-year deal with the Vanarama National League club and follows ex-Saint Oscar Gobern into the Silverlake Stadium.

Hare started his playing career at Gillingham before moving on to Eastbourne Borough, Leatherhead and, most recently, Eastleigh's divisional rivals Maidstone United where his dad Darren, Hessenthaler's brother-in-law, was head coach.

He operated mainly at right-back for Maidstone, but also put in shifts as a centre-half and holding midfielder.

The Spitfires' latest addition said: “I am really pleased to join Eastleigh. A major factor for me was the chance to join a full-time club. Being able to concentrate on my football every day was a no brainer.

“I am an ambitious player and the club are equally as ambitious. We all want to be successful here and hopefully we can achieve our targets.”

Asked what the fans can expect from him, Hare said: “I am a hard worker firstly and more than happy to get up and down the wing. I like to be positive and get forward as much as I can.”

Hessenthaler added: “I am delighted to secure the services of Josh. He is young, versatile and attacking. He is exactly the type of player we want to bring to the club.

“His ambitions match the playing squad and the club as a whole. Everyone is pulling in the right direction.”

Hare left Maidstone in May after rejecting a new contract and Stones boss Jay Saunders was sorry he had decided to move on.

“I am disappointed to see Josh go as he'd done well for us," Saunders said at the time.

"We’d been talking before the season ended about next year and he was very much in my plans.

“It’s that time of year when players are getting offers elsewhere and, despite my best efforts and a good offer, he’s decided to move on."