Second summer signing for fast-moving Spitfires

By Wendy Gee - 

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.

Woking winger Dale Binns has meanwhile blasted Eastleigh for claiming they had signed him earlier this week.

Binn's 'move' to the Silverlake briefly appeared on the Spitfires' website before being hastily withdrawn.

Binns, another member of that 2010/11 play-off making Farnborough side, accused Eastleigh of "disrespect" for running the story while he was still under contract with Woking.

Speaking after scoring in Woking's Surrey Senior Cup triumph over Paul Doswell's Sutton on Tuesday, he said: "I have spoken to their (Eastleigh's) manager and assistant and told them 'it's bang out of order, I haven't signed anything with you.'

"It's a possibility I may sign for Eastleigh, but I haven't decided. All I was doing was keeping my options open, like anyone would."

Baird still wants to tie up the Binns deal and is hopeful of getting it done before leaving for the Hong Kong FC International Soccer Sevens on Sunday.

Baird, whose Far East trip means he misses Wednesday's Hampshire FA Senior Cup final against AFC Totton at St. Mary's (7.30pm), hopes to conclude a deal with Jack Dovey. The 19-year-old, who was on loan with the Spitfires from Saints last season, has been released by Nigel Adkins' Premier League newcomers.

Gareth Barfoot, Lee Peacock and Phil Appiah have all been offered new Eastleigh contracts and negotiations are ongoing with ex-Saints academy starlet Jordace Holder-Spooner. Baird is also keen on striking up a permanent deal with front-man Bradley Bubb, who shone on loan from Aldershot last term, but said getting an answer from his agent was "like pulling teeth".

Long-serving midfielder Danny Smith has been transfer-listed, along with Chris Flood. The pair both have a year to run on their contracts.

Baird said: "I felt the midfield area cost us last season - certainly since February - and I'm looking for an athletic, ball-playing, older head type of midfield.

"That's no disrespect to Danny Smith who's been a good servant to Eastleigh."