Whitehawk boss Steven King believes he has pulled off another coup by snapping up midfielder Sam Deering.

The 23-year-old has agreed to sign for the Hawks when his contract at Cheltenham runs out at the end of the month.

Deering was told he was being released by the Robins at the end of the season and King is delighted to make him his fifth summer capture.

The Whitehawk boss believes Deering is on a par with former Crawley Town midfielder Sergio Torres in terms of the quality he will bring to the club.

A one-time Chelsea junior, he made his breakthrough at Oxford United where he appeared in 58 first team games after making his debut in 2008.

After a loan spell at Newport County, Deering spent 18 months with League Two side Barnet prior to joining Cheltenham two years ago.

He played 78 games for Cheltenham, including 39 last season but was told he was surplus to requirements at the end of the campaign.

King said: “Sam is only 24 and he played something like 130 league games.

“He is fantastic on the ball and will fit into the way I want to play. It is unbelievable that we have got him.

“For me, that is a big signing because I know how good Sam is. He is on the same level as Sergio.”

Deering will join Torres, former Crystal Palace and Macclesfield goalkeeper Lance Cronin, ex-Charlton defender Osei Sankofa and former Ebbsfleet captain Paul Lorraine – also a defence – as summer arrivals at the Enclosed Ground.