Fans expecting big things from Eastleigh after signing players with EFL experience

Fans are expecting big things from National League side Eastleigh after signing a number of players with plenty of EFL experience.

The club have signed the likes of Jordan Cousins, Nick Townsend, Temi Eweka, Aaron Blair, Kieron Evans, Josh Lundstram, Archie Harris (on loan from Bournemouth), with more additions expected.

For the 2024/25 season, the Spitfires finished 13th in the table, with 59 points from 46 games played, 9 points from the playoff places, and 7 points above the drop zone.

New signing Lundstram said – “The vision here is to try and get the club into the Football League.” Can they do it? We’ll certainly be watching on with interest, with it expected to be another tough season for sides bidding to get into the EFL.

Jordan Cousins in the #NationalLeague – blimey, what a signing!

I already talked last year about how I felt #EastleighFC had a good squad.

They’ve added:
✅Nick Townsend
✅Temi Eweka
✅Aaron Blair
✅Kieron Evans
✅Josh Lundstram
✅Archie Harris

Expecting BIG things. https://t.co/RJQusU9zoe

— Off The Line Blog (@OffTheLineBlog) July 15, 2025

ON SIGNING COUSINS:

Eastleigh Football Club are thrilled to confirm the signing of midfielder Jordan Cousins following his departure from Cambridge United!

Cousins, 30, began his professional career at Charlton Athletic, progressing through the club’s youth system and signing his first professional contract in 2011. He made his senior debut for Charlton in August 2013 and went on to make over 125 appearances in all competitions for the club. During his time at Charlton, he was named the club’s Player of the Year for the 2014/15 season.

In July 2016, Cousins joined Queens Park Rangers, where he made 70 Championship appearances across three seasons. He then signed for Stoke City in June 2019, going on to feature 39 times during two campaigns in the second tier.

In June 2021, Cousins signed a two-year contract with Wigan Athletic, contributing to their promotion-winning League One season in 2021/22. After leaving Wigan in the summer of 2023, he joined Cambridge United, where he played during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 League One season.

Internationally, Cousins has represented England at youth level, featuring from U16 through to U20. He switched international allegiance to Jamaica, receiving a call-up in 2021 and earning senior international caps for the ‘Reggae Boyz’.

Cousins brings over a decade of experience across the EFL, with more than 250 senior appearances to his name, primarily in the Championship and League One.

Upon joining Eastleigh, Cousins commented: “It’s been a long period of negotiating, but I’m glad that it’s all done and I can concentrate on the football.”

“I kind of get a feeling for places and I knew when driving into the car park and seeing the facilities, the changing room, and the vibe around this place, I knew it was the place for me!”

ON SIGNING LUNDSTRAM:

Eastleigh Football Club are delighted to announce the permanent signing of midfielder Josh Lundstram following his departure from Oldham Athletic!

A graduate of Crewe Alexandra’s academy, Lundstram began his career with the Railwaymen in 2017 and gained senior experience during loan spells with a number of non-league clubs, including Kidsgrove Athletic, Nuneaton Borough, and Altrincham—where he played a key role in their successful National League North play-off campaign in 2020, before returning to Crewe and making over 25 appearances in League One.

In 2022, the 26-year-old rejoined Altrincham permanently and enjoyed a standout season, starting every league match and scoring three goals in the 2022/23 campaign. His consistent performances earned him a clean sweep of Players’ Player of the Year, and Manager’s Player of the Year awards at the club, as well as the prestigious National League Player of the Season honour at the North West Football Awards.

Lundstram moved to Oldham Athletic in the summer of 2023, where he continued to impress. Despite a knee injury in pre-season, he returned to full fitness and made 27 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, scoring five goals and providing a steady, experienced presence in the middle of the park.

His form also earned him a call-up to the England C squad in 2023, where he made his debut on the international stage in a 1-0 win against Wales.

Upon joining the Spitfires, Lundstram said: “I’ve had really good conversations with the manager. The vision here is to try and get the club into the Football League which hopefully, I can be apart of!”

*Subject to approval from The FA and The National League

EASTLEIGH’S RETAINED / RELEASED LIST:

The following players remain under contract with the club: Richard Brindley, Malachi Dotse (terminated), Luis Fernandez, Niall Maher, Paul McCallum and Tyrese Shade

The club have decided to activate the year option as stipulated in the contracts of: Lloyd Humphries, Jake Vokins and Angel Waruih

The following players have been offered new contracts and remain in contract talks with the club: Ludwig Francillette, Jake Taylor (signed), Nathan Tshikuna and Connor Underhill (extended)

The following players have been released following the expiry of their contracts: Lee Hodson, Chris Maguire, Joe McDonnell, Solomon Nwabuokei, Corey Panter, Scott Quigley, Nathan Rogers, Jai Semenyo, Tommy Scott and Deji Sotona

The following players have returned to their parent clubs following the conclusion of their loan deals: Noa Boutin, Ben Close and Rekeil Pyke

Here’s how fans reacted with many expecting big things from Eastleigh after signing players with EFL experience…

@scfcdaza: Some signing

@Kaiw_03: I want to be optimistic but I’ve seen us play for over ten years now and genuinely feel we just can’t ever get promoted 😅

@onegoodeye82: Another excellent signing.

Colin Debbie Whitmarsh: Fair play, making good quality signings, good experienced head there with Jordan

Matthew Horton: Wow 31 now i remember him coming in at qpr from Charlton all those years ago. Very good signing for Eastleigh, this guys got lots to give if he really wants to

Colin Burnett: Not going to lie, know nothing about either of the lads but appears to be a bit of excitement around the place so, welcome.

Rob Illsley: Liked him when he played for us at qpr

James Trubridge: Great signing and a few more to come. Exciting times ahead, let’s get the season started.

Ian Richardson: Fantastic signing, Stewart has shown massive support to the manager. Let’s hope he can mould these players. Into a fast paced footballing side.