EASTLEIGH have signed former Premier League winger Mark Yeates.

The 32 year-old has signed a two-year deal and brings with him some experience of playing in the top flight with Tottenham.

After a nine-match loan spell at Brighton, Yeates made his Spurs debut in May 2004 in a 2-0 win away to a Wolves side for whom Paul Ince was sent off, with the goals scored by Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane.

He played the full 90 minutes alongside the likes of Christian Ziege and Jamie Redknapp, before going on to play three more games for Spurs as a substitute.

After a season-long at Colchester, he moved to the Essex club a year later for the chance to play regularly in the Championship.

Following Colchester’s relegation, England manager Gareth Southgate took him to Middlesbrough for £500,000 in the summer of 2009.

He also played in the Championship for Sheffield United and Watford but it was after dropping into League One with Bradford City that he scored the most memorable of his 51 goals in 448 league and cup appearances.

Yeates netted Bradford’s fourth goal when they stunned Chelsea in the FA Cup third round at Stamford Bridge in January 2015, coming back from 2-0 down to win 4-2.

He moved to Oldham the following summer before dropping down to League Two to play for Blackpool last season, ending it with a loan spell at Notts County.

Now he is aiming to help Eastleigh out of the National League alongside fellow new signings Danny Hollands and Chris Zebroski.

Meanwhile, recently departed Spitfires duo Ryan Bird and Adam Dugdale have found new clubs.

Former Pompey striker Bird is staying in the National league after signing for Dover while defender Dugdale has joined National League North Southport.