Ebbsfleet United have today completed the necessary paperwork for the signing of Gosport Borough goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.

The highly-rated 26-year-old joins for an undisclosed fee, having signed a two-and-a-half-year contract for Boro in February 2015.

Nathan began his career on the south coast with Gosport’s neighbours and rivals Havant & Waterlooville, coming through the Hawks’ Academy and breaking into the first team in 2008. He moved to Gosport, initially on loan, in 2011 and produced such displays that his stay was made permanent.

Over the past five years, Nathan has been instrumental in helping Gosport win two successive promotions, reach an FA Trophy Final at Wembley and become a play-off-challenging force in the National League South. He has impressed on several occasions in Gosport colours against the Fleet and, with the squad looking to strengthen for the final push towards promotion this season, manager Daryl McMahon was quick to make his move for a goalkeeper who has attracted plenty of attention from Football League scouts.

McMahon told FleetOnline, “Nathan’s obviously a top keeper, that much is clear to any supporter at this level. He’s someone I’m looking forward to working with and he’s available to play on Saturday. He wants to play, he hasn’t come here to sit around.

“The opportunity to sign Nathan presented itself suddenly even though we’ve looked at him before. It’s an opportunity for me to strengthen a position with a fantastic player to try to help us win the league. Brandon Hall has been terrific this year, he’s a young goalkeeper and he’s learning all the time. Bringing Nathan in is nothing against Brandon who’s still got a big future at this club and in the game. I still believe he’s going to be a Football League goalkeeper.”