We are delighted to announce the signing of 22-year-old Vincent Harper from National League side Eastleigh.
The defender - who can play as a left-back or wing-back - joins on a two-year deal with the option of a third, for a undisclosed compensation fee, after a year-and-a-half with the Spitfires for whom he played 71 times, scoring five goals.
Vincent will wear the prestigious No.31 shirt, thanks to the support of the 1931 Fund.
The 1931 Fund, named after Exeter City's famous FA Cup run of that year, is led by group organiser Alan Crockford, said: “Having not had a 1931 funded player in the men’s team last season it’s great to be able to support Gary with the club’s first signing of the season.
“It takes around 70 of us to make a small sacrifice each month it is a nice way for fans who live away from Exeter to do our bit. We will be contributing between 20k and 25k to help go towards funding Vincent’s first season at St James Park.
“If anyone wishes to join us or find out more, please email: 1931fund@gmail.com.”
Harper is no stranger to the South-West, having come through the ranks at Bristol City as a youngster. His time with the Robins came to an end in 2021 but during his time with the club he enjoyed loan spells with Gloucester City, Weston-super-Mare and Bath City, before joining Eastleigh on a permanent deal from Chippenham Town.
Back in March, Harper was also named in the 16-man England C squad for a match against Wales C, playing the full 90 and the Three Lions won 1-0.
A talented left sided player, Harper fits the profile of the player that Gary Caldwell is looking for over the summer, and his assistant Kevin Nicholson has explained why he feels Vincent is the perfect fit for the Grecians.
"He is the right kind of player for us. He's young and had experience of academy football and he has left to find his way in the National League," Nicho said.
"He is coming here with a skillset and the tools to compete to get into our first team right now, but he is also nowhere near his ceiling. He has a huge amounts of potential, and hopefully we can do what we do here at Exeter City and tap in to that to help him achiece what he wants to achieve.
"He is very direct and very similar to Demetri Mitchell, and it will be hugely beneficial to him to have someone like Demetri around because he will pick up a lot working with a player like that.
"It's a bonus that he will have a full pre-season with us and he gets to fight straight away, but Vince also knows that as a club we are going to help develop him, that's what we pride ourselves on."
Welcome, Vincent!