EASTLEIGH have announced the capture of former Cherries youngster Brennan Camp following his departure from the Vitality Stadium.

Defender Camp finished the campaign on loan with the National League outfit last term, with former Cherries boss and current Spitfires manager Lee Bradbury revealing to the Daily Echo that he was keen to keep the 21-year-old at the Silverlake Stadium.

During his previous stint with the Spitfires, Camp made 15 appearances after joining in February.

It is understood that Camp turned down an offer from now Premier League Cherries in order to take up the opportunity of regular football with Eastleigh.

In an interview with Eastleigh’s website, Camp stated: “It feels really good.

“I’ve had a lot to think about over the summer, but I’m happy to back here now, signed on.

“I’m just raring to go for the new season, looking forward to being back here, improving as a player and I’m looking forward to getting started.

“I sort of had a few conversations with the manager during the end of last season, and he’s always made it clear that he wanted me for the next season.

“It’s always been in the back of my mind, and in the end it was sort of a no-brainer. I loved my time here last season. I feel like I improved, played a lot of games, and hopefully that continues.”

Portland-born Camp had been at Cherries 14 years prior to his departure, with the defender stating that his desire for regular first-team football was a major factor in his decision to leave the Dorset club.

“Definitely. I think it’s something that I’ve wanted the past few years now, just to be in that first team environment week in week out,” mentioned Camp.

“The National League, I’ve played quite a few games in it already – it’s a good league, good stadiums, good fans, with some big teams in there. So I’m happy to be playing here next season and I’m looking forward to what we can do.

“I think that was sort of the key factors in me joining.

“I think what the club have got planned, with new players that are coming in and the players that have stayed, it’s going to be an exciting year hopefully, and hopefully it can be a successful one.

“Obviously on social media at the end of last season, I had quite a lot of fans messaging me and stuff, saying how well I had done, and that’s one of the main factors as well – playing here every week, in front of the fans – I’m looking forward to it.”