FORMER Southampton defender Dan Harding has revealed he turned down a move to Portsmouth before joining Vanarama National League side Eastleigh.
The 31-year-old made 28 appearances in the Championship last season with Nottingham Forest and then on loan at Millwall.
But he has opted to drop down three divisions to play for Richard Hill’s men and goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s opener at Southport.
“At the end of last season if you would have asked me, I would never have thought I would be retiring from full professional football at age 31,” Harding said.
“Early on I had a few offers from different clubs, one being Portsmouth. Don’t get me wrong Portsmouth is a big club and I would imagine they are going to do very well this season but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“I had the best three years of my life at Southampton and I still consider myself a fan. It would not have felt right for me to sign for them.
“Richard said he was happy for me to come and train with him and the lads until I found the right club for me. If I am honest I never expected to enjoy it as much as I did.
“The facilities are very good and all the staff, manager and players were amazing and made me feel very welcomed.
“Although I consider myself retiring from League football that doesn’t mean I am not fully committed to Eastleigh. I will continue to give them 100 per cent week in week out and remain focused on the task in hand. Which is as it’s been at every club I have been at, promotion.
“It just means now I get a bit more time to focus on other projects which I have never had time to do before.”
