George Elokobi has paid tribute to Joan Luque following his former Maidstone team-mate’s retirement, aged 32.

Elokobi said it was a privilege to play with the Spaniard, who spearheaded the Stones’ 2022 National League South title success.

He scored 22 goals and was named the league’s player of the year although he missed the end of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in a derby win at Dartford.

The winger would never play for the Stones again and was released a year later following National League relegation.

He joined Worthing and this summer moved to Folkestone only to announce his retirement last week.

It was Elokobi - who’d been Luque’s captain - who had to make the difficult decision to release him after succeeding Hakan Hayrettin as manager.

But his respect for a player who’s still loved at the Gallagher Stadium remains absolute and he wishes him well in the future.

“He’s had a fantastic career,” said Elokobi of Luque, who started out in Barcelona’s academy.

“As a player, when you’re coming towards the end of your time, only you can determine when that curtain is closed.

“He’s got to look at his entire career and how he’s gone about it.

“I can only speak from when I played with him.

“He had a sublime season here with us and had a massive part in terms of us getting promoted to the National League but unfortunately he suffered a big injury.

“I don’t know how that affected him psychologically and physically.

“I’ve been there, I know how it is, but I can’t say for sure how it affected Luque.

“But it’s important he looks at all the positives from a very good career at the levels he’s played at.

“He’s got to look at the successes he’s had and how he’s impacted the clubs he’s played for.

“He knows fully well how he impacted Maidstone United Football Club in terms of the season he had here.

“He was voted National League South player of the season and won so many accolades throughout that season.

“Sometimes in your career you have that one season or two seasons in a 10-15-year career.

“It doesn’t matter how long it lasts, but you’ve got to look at all the positives and take so many lessons from the wins, the draws, the losses.

“All of that will shape him up to be a better man going forward in terms of whatever he wants to do next.

“He can always look back at the fond memories he had here.

“I was privileged to share that changing room with him as his club captain and to see the smile on his face every day when he was playing and enjoying himself and being a little bit of a maverick at times.

“That’s just the character he is and that’s what makes him tick.

“It was a joy to play with him and at the same time I was gutted for him when he got injured because he probably could have had a good season in the National League coming off the back of a fantastic season.

“But he’s been a top man and a good friend of mine and I wish him all the very best with his retirement.

“I’m sure he’s got plans of what he wants to do next and whatever he decides to do I fully encourage him to approach that with a positive mindset and enjoy every bit of it because this is the next phase of his life.

“He has to spend some time out with loved ones as well, enjoy quality time with them and be pressure-free.”