Midfielder Jack Payne has turned down Ebbsfleet's offer of a new deal and joined National League rivals Eastleigh instead.

Payne was offered much-reduced terms to stay at Stonebridge Road by Fleet boss Garry Hill at the end of last season.

But the 27-year-old has now opted to rejoin Eastleigh, where he spent a month on loan during the previous campaign.

Eastleigh manager Ben Strevens said: "I am delighted to get this deal over the line. Luckily quite a few people know Payney from him coming on loan here last year when Hess was manager.

"I’ve known Payney for 10 years or so as I was at Gillingham with him. He’s technically very good on the ball and he’s got a good right foot as well.

"He will give us another dimension in the midfield. He can get more goals, I’m going to try and get that into him.

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"He’s got such a good range of passing and he can get there with his shooting as well.

"He’s backed himself to do well for us, he a good lad and more importantly he’s a good player.”

Former Gillingham midfielder Payne made 61 appearances for the Fleet after joining from Blackpool in 2017.

He featured five times for Eastleigh while on loan at the Hampshire outfit last season.

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