Forward Bruno Andrade - who once played in the Premier League for Queens Park Rangers - agrees deal with Maidstone United after successful trial spell
Published: 16:57, 26 July 2024
Updated: 17:00, 26 July 2024
A Portuguese forward who started his career at Queens Park Rangers has agreed terms with Maidstone for the new season after a trial period with the club.
Bruno Andrade, 30, arrives permanently at the Gallagher Stadium, having played for Chesham United and Kettering Town last term, before he did enough to impress manager George Elokobi this summer.
“I’ve been here for a couple of weeks now,” he told the club’s media team.
“I have enjoyed every single moment of it and I’m just glad to get the deal over the line.”
Viseu-born Andrade joined the Queens Park Rangers Academy aged 13.
He signed his first professional contract with the club in October 2010 and, after making his first-team breakthrough, he made his Premier League debut during the 2011/12 campaign - in a 2-0 defeat at Wigan when Argentina international striker Franco Di Santo bagged a brace.
But Andrade struggled to kick-on from there and was released by QPR in 2015 after several loan stints away from the west London club.
Since then, he has played for the likes of Woking, Boreham Wood, Salford and Stevenage among others.
He explained: “I would probably say my best seasons have come at Boreham Wood and Lincoln.
“I’ve just been floating around since then.”
Andrade has already made an impression on some of Stones’ fans, finding the net while on trial with the National League South side.
Asked if supporters should get used to the sight of him scoring goals, he replied: “I hope so!
“Obviously, I’m here to help the team, score some goals and assist some goals.
“It’s all part of the game. I just want to get on the pitch.”
Maidstone visit Chatham in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday and then travel to fellow Isthmian Premier outfit Folkestone on Tuesday.
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Thomas Reeves