Ex Southampton, QPR and Burnley forward Charlie Austin has signed for seventh tier side AFC Totton.
The 35-year-old made 48 appearances last season for League Two side Swindon Town, scoring 14 goals across all competitions before the expiration of his contract.
The striker said James Beattie, former Saint and director of football at the Stags, persuaded him to sign for the club.
“James Beattie got in touch with me in May and asked me the situation,” Austin told the club website.
“We stayed in contact and he invited me to come and train with the club. I wasn’t too sure at first but then, while I was on holiday with the kids, the penny sort of dropped and I rang him and said look, let’s do the deal.
“I know I can bring a lot of experience, having played in all four divisions of the professional league. If my game can fit in with the team and can help the team to get over that final hurdle, then that’s what it’s all about – the goal is for us to get promoted.
Austin played for Southampton between 2016 and 2019, making 81 appearances during his time at St Mary’s and scoring 20 goals.
In 2015, he was called up to represent England, but he did not play in games versus Republic of Ireland or Slovenia.
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