The 6ft 3in centre-half becomes the second ex-Hereford player to sign on at Sixfields following the addition of striker Steve Guinan.

Beckwith, 25, came up through the youth ranks at Gillingham but after loan spells at Dagenham & Redbridge and Margate he signed for Hereford in July 2005 having made 2 first-team appearances for the Kent club.

Beckwith made a total of 152 appearances for Hereford in his four seasons at the club, scoring 5 goals.

"I am delighted to have secured Dean," said boss Stuart Gray.

"He is a good age, has a good amount of games under his belt and he is a player who has impressed me.

"A year ago he was being linked with a move to the Championship, and I think the move here will give him a fresh start and hopefully help him kick on.

"He is another one who has won promotion from this level before so he knows what it takes. He is also a player with a decent fitness record and is hungry to take both his career and the club forward."