EASTLEIGH fans with have no grounds to complain that the side lacks pace.

Chris Todd’s first signing as manager is one of the fastest footballers on earth.

Exciting 21-year-old wideman/forward Matthias (Matty) Fanimo is a former England under-16, 17 and 18 player who was at West Ham United until earlier this year.

And it was during his time in the Hammers’ ranks that it emerged he had recorded a top speed equal to Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia, who is regarded as the world’s fastest footballer.

A list of top speeds reached by players wearing GPS tracking systems showed Fanimo and Valencia joint top, leaving the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Cristiano Ronaldo in their slipstream.

Fanimo tweeted at the time: “No doubt who’s the quickest in the world.”

Having played in a Carling Cup win over Crewe Alexandra for the Hammers in 2011, Fanimo didn’t appear again before being released in February this year.

His other appearance as a professional was for then League Two side Tranmere Rovers on loan in September 2014.

More recently he has been at Bishop’s Stortford, where he is friendly with the assistant manager.

Given his background, Fanimo possesses undoubted ability, allied to speed, and Todd believes Eastleigh can provide the perfect platform to revive his career.

The new Spitfires boss said: “The English system, in my opinion, isn’t great for kids. They go to a big club but, after that, where do they go when they get released? Often it’s into the wilderness.

“I believe in talent and I believe that, in time, we can turn Matty into something special.

“The ability’s there and he’s lightening quick. We need a pacy winger to change things at times and he can also play up front which is a bonus.”

Fanimo is expected to go straight into the Spifires squad for Saturday's National League trip to Cheltenham.