Eastleigh have secured their second summer signing, bringing in defender Osei Sankofa from Blue Square Bet South rivals Boreham Wood.

The 27-year-old former Charlton Athletic player has agreed personal terms and joins the Spitfires on an initial one-year deal.

Manager Ian Baird, who signed frontman Marvin Williams from Salisbury City last week, said: “Osei fits the profile of the player we are looking to attract.

“He is young, strong, athletic and had a really good season last year at Boreham Wood.

“I have kept tabs on him for some time.

“He is a player with a good pedigree and I’m pleased to have secured his signature.

“We are trying to get a good blend of experience and youth and create a really good environment where players are judged on merits and form.”

Six-footer Sankofa, who can play anywhere across the back line, represented England from under-16 to under-20 level.

He made his first-team debut for Charlton, aged 18, in a 4-1 defeat at Manchester United in 2002/03 and went on to make 19 first-team appearances for the Addicks before being released by former Saints boss Alan Pardew.

He had loan spells with Bristol City and Brentford and moved to Southend United in 2008 where he linked up with Eastleigh’s Damian Scannell.

From there Sankofa dropped into non-League with Farnborough and, along with Spitfires’ midfielder Daryl McMahon, was a member of their BSB South runners-up side of 2010/11.

Full story in today's Southern Daily Echo.