Forward departs Brisbane Road with record of 15 goals in 43 appearances

Paul McCallum has agreed a two-year deal with National League side Eastleigh ahead of his departure from Leyton Orient this summer.

The ex-West Ham United forward wasn’t offered a new deal at O’s and is one of many set to exit Brisbane Road in the coming weeks.

Liam Kelly agreed a switch to Coventry City yesterday while Sammy Moore was announced as the new player-manager at Leatherhead.

McCallum departs Orient after two eventful years in E10 where he worked under a number of different managers.

Ian Hendon signed the striker in the summer of 2015 and the forward started the 2015/16 campaign strongly.

The 23-year-old scored three goals in his first four games, but suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage to his knee in September.

After missing over seven months of action, McCallum made a surprise return on the final-day of the campaign at Yeovil Town.

By the start of the 2016/17 season, Andy Hessenthaler was now manager of O’s and throughout August, McCallum wasn’t first choice.

The former Dulwich Hamlet striker forced his way into the team, however, and after netting at Notts County, had a record of six goals in eight appearances.

Hessenthaler was then sacked, however, and McCallum featured less regularly at Brisbane Road under Alberto Cavasin.

The Italian didn’t last long and Andy Edwards put his faith in McCallum and it was rewarded with a strong return in December.

O’s tall striker scored twice against Crawley Town and set up goals in home matches with Accrington Stanley and Cambridge United.

McCallum was on target again versus Barnet, but suffered a dislocated fibula during a 2-0 defeat at Mansfield Town, which turned out to be Edwards’ last as manager.

Despite not being 100 per cent fit, the forward returned under boss Danny Webb midway through February and played through the pain.

McCallum netted against Notts County and Stevenage – the latter proving to be his last at O’s – but missed the next six weeks after feeling too much pain in his leg.

By the time he was fit again in April, Webb had been replaced by Omer Riza and soon after Orient’s relegation was confirmed.

McCallum’s last appearance for O’s was at home to Colchester United and the forward applauded all four sides of the stadium following his substitution.

The striker divided opinion during his time at Brisbane Road, but leaves Orient with an impressive record of 15 goals in 43 appearances.

With McCallum set to link up with Eastleigh, the ex-AFC Wimbledon loanee should face his old club twice next season.