FORMER Saints youngster Jake Hesketh has made a surprise move to local outfit Sholing FC ahead of the new season.

Hesketh, 27, was playing in the National League with Eastleigh for the last two seasons but had fallen out of favour with the Spitfires.

The attacking midfielder made just 23 appearances this season, failed to score or assist and was not involved in the matchday squad for the playoff chasers since February.

Hesketh made four appearances for Saints between 2014-2016 including two in the Premier League and a second-half substitute appearance in the Europa League.

He will now be running out in the Southern Division Premier following Sholing’s promotion, alongside AFC Totton, this campaign.

Hesketh had loan spells in League One and League Two with Burton Albion, Lincoln City, MK Dons and Crawley Town before eventually departing Saints permanently in 2021.

Speaking about Saints to the Daily Echo after joining Eastleigh in 2021, Hesketh said: “I think it will serve me well in life, let alone just in football. How they bring players and people up is second to none.

“I’ve really enjoyed Eastleigh. The boys have made it really easy and being local I haven’t had the moving side of things to deal with.”