Eastleigh have completed two new signings, bringing in striker Oliver Hawkins and defender Reece Johnson. The BBC reported the moves this week, adding to the squad assembled by manager Matt Gray.
Hawkins, 34, joins the Spitfires on a free transfer after a successful trial, having left Barnet earlier in the summer. He brings extensive Football League experience, having made 286 appearances in Leagues One and Two for clubs including Portsmouth, Ipswich Town, and Gillingham. The length of his contract at the Silverlake Stadium has not been disclosed.
Reece Johnson arrives on a season-long loan from Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. The 20-year-old left-back has played 16 times for the Owls, with most of those appearances coming last season. He scored his first senior goal on his debut in an EFL Cup victory over Bolton Wanderers.
"I want a good season where I can play games," Johnson told the club's website. "You're at your best when you're playing and I want to get as many minutes into the legs as I can." His addition provides competition at full-back as Eastleigh prepare for the new National League campaign. Fans can see how the squad is shaping up on our squad page.
The Spitfires recently faced neighbours Southampton in a pre-season friendly, losing 3-1 at the Silverlake Stadium. Defender Nick Akoto put Eastleigh ahead after 14 minutes, but Southampton fought back with goals from Lewis Dobbin, Nicholas Oyekunle, and Romeo Akachukwu. The match was part of Eastleigh's preparations, which included a training camp in Germany with games against Eintracht Braunschweig and Preussen Munster.
This result and the recent signings come after a period of squad building under Gray. The manager, who took over in May, has also brought in former Millwall defender Ben Drake and ex-Cheltenham Town centre-back Ibrahim Bakare. The club's current form and upcoming matches are tracked on our stats and fixtures pages.
Ben Drake, 26, joined earlier in July after two years with Millwall. He spent last season on loan at Braintree Town, making 22 National League appearances. Another recent addition is forward Sam Ghandour. He was part of the Aldershot squad that won the EFL Trophy in the 2024-25 season and scored eight goals in 58 fifth-tier appearances over three seasons with the Shots.
These signings address different areas of the pitch. Hawkins offers a proven goal threat at National League level, while Johnson and Drake bolster defensive options. Ghandour provides attacking depth from wide areas.
With their pre-season schedule complete, attention turns to the opening games of the National League season. The double signing of Hawkins and Johnson significantly strengthens Matt Gray's options ahead of a busy period. The immediate focus is on integrating the new players and building momentum from the first whistle of the competitive campaign.
