EASTLEIGH will be in the market for central defenders this summer following the departure of Jamie Turley to Newport County.

Having released skipper Paul Reid and Will Evans after missing the National League play-off boat, manager Chris Todd had seemed confident that 26-year-old Turley would accept an improved offer to remain at the Silverlake.

But the lure of ready-made League football proved too strong for the former Salisbury and Forest Green Rovers centre-back, who has signed a two-year deal with the Exiles after they avoided the drop from League Two.

It leaves the Spitfires thin on the ground at the heart of defence.

Player-of-the-season Joe Partington and Michael Green are primarily full-backs as is ex-Saint Dan Harding who, in any case, has been transfer-listed.

Prior to joining Eastleigh in September 2014, Turley’s name had been linked with Bristol City, Swindon and Yeovil, but those avenues closed when he broke his arm that summer.

The Spitfires signed him from under the noses of then Conference rivals Bristol Rovers, who were awaiting the results of a medical.

After making his Spitfires debut against Braintree, Turley required a further operation which sidelined him until the following January.

He leaves Eastleigh having made 46 appearances in just under two seasons with the Stoneham Lane club.

Discussing his move to Newport, Turley said: "I'm delighted to be finally making the step up to the Football League and I want to take full advantage of this opportunity.

"Speaking to Warren (Feeney, Newport manager) it is clear he has big ambitions for the club and he wants to be competitive next season.

"I'm a quick and aggressive player, your typical centre-half really, and I'm sure I can win the fans over."

Exiles boss Feeney added: "I know there was a lot of interest from other Football League clubs for Jamie.

"He is a very good player who possesses great pace and is very strong.

“He has a very good football brain and he is a great age for a defender and he wants to play at this level."

An Eastleigh statement said: "Jamie has made his desire to play at a higher level apparent. Albeit extremely disappointing to lose a player of his calibre, we understand that, at this stage of his career, it is an opportunity Jamie cannot let pass.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his efforts over the past two seasons and wish him all the best in his future ventures.”