Whitehawk have secured their biggest signing of the summer after landing former Eastbourne Borough skipper Paul Armstrong.

The 31-year-old midfielder signed yesterday and will feature in tonight’s opening pre-season friendly against Albion at Worthing.

Jamie Brotherton, who was top scorer at Worthing last year, has also completed a move to the Enclosed Ground, taking manager Darren Freeman’s summer signings into double figures.

Freeman also hopes to add another goalkeeper to his squad and will look at one-time West Ham youngster Jack Parr against the Seagulls tonight.

But it is the arrival of Armstrong which sends out the biggest signal that Whitehawk will not be in Ryman division one south this season to make up the numbers.

The County League champions have talked about consolidation following promotion but the squad Freeman is assembling suggests a serious promotion push.

Armstrong began his career with Albion, where he was a team-mate of Freeman, and scored twice in 56 league appearances. He also won one Republic of Ireland under-21 cap in 1998.

He later had spells at Airdrie, Crawley and Eastbourne Borough where he made almost 180 appearances before being released at the end of last season.

Freeman said: “Paul is a quality player who has been captain of Eastbourne Borough for the last few seasons.

“It is fantastic we are able to attract this type of player to Whitehawk and yet again it shows how ambitious we are.

“We haven’t decided on a captain yet for next year but Paul would be a candidate along with Glen Woodburn. He has had a great career and the lads will respect him.”

Brotherton finished top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions for Worthing last season as they reached the division one south play-offs.

Croydon Athletic were interested in signing him but that move fell through, and he has now joined Whitehawk.

Freeman said: “Jamie was at Palace as a youngster and is another quality signing. I watched him a couple of times last year and wherever I went people spoke highly of him, “He is a little bit different to what we have got here already and he can also play in midfield.”