Williams' experience 'incredible' for Eastleigh - Gray

Eastleigh manager Matt Gray says Jonny Williams' time as a free agent helped the National League side sign the former Wales international on Thursday.

A former Premier League player for Crystal Palace, 32-year-old Williams has been to two European Championships and one World Cup but had been without a club since leaving League Two outfit Gillingham at the end of last season.

"In the off-season, I don't think we were in the picture to be his next club," Gray told BBC Radio Solent.

"As time's gone on and the season started, it's played into our hands a little bit to try to get him in.

"We [saw] on day one, the lads understand his history and career - three major tournaments for Wales is incredible.

"Sometimes a new signing can lift the tempo in training and energy around the group - certainly someone of Jonny's class.

"It's a big signing for us and we're really pleased to have him for the rest of the season."

Williams was last called up by Wales when the midfielder was an unused substitute in their 2022 World Cup campaign, having also gone to Euro 2020 without making an appearance.

But he did feature four times during his country's memorable run at Euro 2016, including against England during the group stage and Portugal in their semi-final exit.

"With us picking up a couple of injuries in the last week or two, it forced our hand to get extra bodies in," said Gray.

"Knowing Jonny was still available and still a free agent, thankfully we managed to get it done.

"You're also looking for character and personality. We did our research on that side and everyone speaks so highly of him in the dressing room and [in terms of] helping his team-mates.

"He's just a really nice guy and you can see that already."

The Spitfires are a point outside the play-off places before their trip to fifth-placed Harrogate Town on Saturday (15:00 BST).