New signing Jerson Dos Santos is fired up and ready to prove a point at Folkestone.

He was on Invicta’s radar last summer and even played for them in pre-season but chose Carshalton instead.

After a frustrating season in Surrey, the former Hythe man is back in Kent and determined to make a big impact in the Isthmian Premier.

Dos Santos said: “I definitely have a point to prove so there’s going to be a lot of passion in my performances. The fans can expect a lot from me because I’m prepared to give them a lot.

“I think we’ll be promoted. I think we’re going to have an exquisite season and hopefully I’m going to have a big role to play in that.”

Dos Santos played the full 90 minutes against Gillingham on Saturday as Folkestone continued their pre-season with a 4-0 defeat to the League 1 side.

He said: “I’m really pleased with the whole thing, to know my season is set and I can get my head down and go to work.

“I was looking for a club last summer and I was put in contact with Neil Cugley but I had a lot going on and didn’t feel I could put football first at that time.

“I started the season (at Carshalton) very well, scoring loads of goals but ultimately because I couldn’t commit to football how I would want to, I lost my place in the team.

“I ended up being sent out on loan (to East Grinstead) and I scored a lot of goals there but I feel like I’m back where I need to be and I’m doing a lot to ensure that what happened last year isn’t going to happen this year.

“I’m no longer working for anyone. I run a small clothing brand and I’m studying so I have the time to invest in my football this year and I’m ready to go.”

Dos Santos arrives as the replacement for Ade Yusuff, who scored 51 goals in 102 appearances for Invicta before joining Dulwich Hamlet in May.

“Everyone knows what a great job he’s done but he’s left a void that needs filling,” said Dos Santos.

"They’re big shoes to fill but I think I have the ability and the right team ethic to slot in without making too much of it. I think I can do a very good job.

“I can mix it up. I’m quite good in the air but I can also play, I’ve got a good eye for a pass and I can score a lot of goals as well.

“Knowing the manager already was the biggest part of me coming down. It was his work that got me over the line to sign in the end.”

Folkestone start their season at home to Worthing on August 10 after the Isthmian League fixtures were released last week.

Cugley’s side go to Hythe in a pre-season friendly on Saturday having visited Faversham last night (Tuesday).

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