New signing Gavin Hoyte took the long route to Folkestone - after contemplating a move abroad.

Defender Hoyte trained with Gibraltan club Magpies while working out his next move after five years at Maidstone.

The former Stones captain, who started his career at Arsenal, knows he’s made the right decision after joining ambitious Isthmian Premier club Invicta.

But there was a point when a move overseas was in his thoughts, with Magpies third in the Gibraltan League and playing in the Conference League qualifying rounds.

“I spoke to a few teams and I was actually thinking about going abroad as well,” said Hoyte, 34.

“I trained with Magpies in Gibraltar which was a very different experience.

“It was unbelievable and the weather was amazing.

“The managers all spoke English but the fitness coaches mainly spoke Spanish.

“I’d never experienced that and it was funny hearing the team-talk and the captain translating what the manager said into Spanish. Just little things like that were great.

“I respect the manager for letting me train with them.

“Maybe if I’d been out there longer there’d have been a chance to earn a deal but where I am now in my career and my life, it’s not the right time to go abroad.

“I’ve got my family, my kids are settled at school and I need to look at getting a job outside of football.

“Maybe four or five years ago it might have been different but I don’t think I could do it now.”

Folkestone is the ideal move as Hoyte, whose other former clubs include Watford and Brighton, steps away from full-time football.

It’s a big life change for the right-back, who captained Maidstone to the National League South title in 2022 and the FA Cup fifth round last season.

He knew Folkestone boss Andy Drury from a coaching course, while their paths have crossed on the pitch over the years.

“I’m getting older and my body probably can’t take the full-time stuff now, so this is perfect,” said Hoyte.

“We train two nights a week, which will help me.

“Andy gave me a call and he spoke about his plans, what he wants to do and how he wants to do things.

“It’s an ambitious club and when I went to the ground you could see the works going on.

“They say at certain times of your career you need to go to certain places and work under certain managers and I think this could be a good move for me.

“My whole career I’ve only ever trained in the mornings - a minimum of three mornings - so I’m looking forward to the change.

“I’ve got to go into the real world now and try and get a full-time job outside of football. It’s a big change.

“I’ve worked in some schools doing PE stuff and that’s something I’d like to do. Sport’s been my life.”

Hoyte’s move to Cheriton Road sees him reunited with former Maidstone team-mate Joan Luque.

The pair have remained close since Luque departed the Gallagher Stadium just over a year ago.

“I’ve kept in contact with him and I went to see him a few times,” said Hoyte.

“When my daughter was doing cheerleading in Barcelona I went to stay with him and his family.

“We speak a lot and it’s good to link up again.”

Hoyte and Luque are set to face Maidstone in a pre-season friendly at Cheriton Road on July 30.

Meanwhile, Folkestone have signed striker Evans Kouassi from Canvey Island.

He scored 63 goals in 125 appearances for the Essex club.