CONFERENCE Premier new boys Eastleigh have pulled off a major summer coup by signing striker James Constable on a two-year deal from League Two side Oxford United.

The 29-year-old has spent the last six years with the Us and, with 106 goals in his locker, was just one short of the club’s 40-year-old club scoring record.

The iconic striker was offered a new contract at the Kassam Stadium after his previous deal expired at the end of 2013/14, but Constable rejected the terms and signed for Richard Hill’s Conference South champions instead.

Delighted Eastleigh boss Hill said: ‘I’ve spent the past two-and-a-half weeks speaking to James and telling him all about what we are striving to achieve here. On the three occasions we’ve met, and during numerous telephone conversations, the subject of money has never been raised.

"In truth James was keen to stay at Oxford and overhaul the club’s scoring record, a feat that after six years of committed service there he was desperate to achieve.

"He was initially holding out in the hope that Oxford would offer him fair terms to stay and do that. Oxford’s loss, though, is definitely our gain.”