Joe Mant says signing a one-year contract at Ashford United offers him a great opportunity to build on an excellent first season in senior football.

United moved quickly to secure the 19-year-old goalkeeper's future at Homelands, following interest from other Kent sides.

Ryman League Division 1 South Ramsgate are understood to have lodged a seven-day approach for Mant in the week he put pen to paper, while Maidstone United were also keeping tabs on him.

Four end-of-season awards proved testament to Mant’s achievements, as United finished runners-up behind champions Whyteleafe in the Southern Counties East League, and the ambitious and talented youngster wants to keep learning and improving.

He said: “I surprised myself by how well I played last season, because it’s a big jump from youth football to men’s football. I am not the biggest, and people tried to bully me at times.

“I want to get to the highest level possible, but am in no rush to leave Ashford, staying can only aid my development, and I want to do even better this time.”

Experienced campaigner Lee Winfield and youngster Liam Hark are United’s latest two signings, while striker Ira Jackson has joined Ramsgate.

United travel to Whitstable in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday.