Herne Bay boss Sam Denly has confirmed the signing of Maidstone United youngster Dan Johnson on a season-long loan.

The Bexley-based youngster spent the second half of last season on loan at Ryman League Division 1 South play-off winners Leatherhead, featuring as a late substitute in the penalty shoot-out final win against Folkestone Invicta.

Denly said: “I have agreed a deal with Jay Saunders (Maidstone manager) for Dan. He is a six foot two inch tall talented defender, and will be joining in pre-season training which starts on Saturday.”

He is talking to former Bay midfielder Josh Sargeant about returning to the club, and also revealed that Jordan Wells, who was at Whitstable last season, will join in the first full scale pre-season session at the weekend.

Denly added: “I have always said I wanted to keep most of the squad from last season, which I have done, while adding four or five new faces.

“I have already got Liam Quinn, and Dan is now with us. Josh has been with us before, but couldn’t commit.“The boys have been doing voluntary pre-season to keep them ticking over, but things start for real on Saturday. I have told the lads it will be hard.

“I have already given them an extra week off because last season was extremely long.”