SALISBURY have dealt Poole Town a major blow by signing one of their star players.

The versatile Marvin Brooks is dropping two levels to play for Steve Claridge’s Whites in the Southern One South & West.

Having played mostly in midfield, and occasionally defence, Brooks excelled in a new role as striker in the National League South last term.

In February he became the first Dolphins player in six years to hit the net in five successive matches and finished the campaign with 13 goals from 31 appearances.

The previous season his 17 strikes had made him Poole's top scorer when Tom Killick’s team won the 2015/16 Southern Premier title.

Having lost last season's prolific frontline pairing of Justin Bennett and Tommy Wright, Salisbury boss Claridge believes Brooks can keep the Wiltshire club firing next term.

“He’s a natural attacker in my view,” said Claridge. “He’s 6ft tall, quick, strong and good in the air. I think he’ll be a big player for us.

“I’ve watched him, (player/coach) Callum Hart has watched him and we both agree that he is quality. Different class.”

Brooks is Claridge’s fourth signing of the summer. Defender Jake Wannell and attacking midfielder Chris Shephard were first through the door from Weymouth and, earlier this week, Salisbury confirmed the arrival of 25-year-old attacking midfielder Stuart Green from league rivals Winchester City.

“Stuart’s got good energy, gets around the pitch, has a good eye for goal and will also offer us leadership qualities, having been Winchester’s captain last season,” said Claridge.