Maidstone United’s new signing created chaos when he volleyed home a stoppage-time equaliser against them on Boxing Day.

Jordan Higgs’ 94th-minute strike levelled the National South match in the festive derby at Longmead, with celebrations in front of the Stones dugout that led to a skirmish and a sending-off for visiting defender Raphe Brown.

It was all smiles on Tuesday, however, as Higgs was welcomed to the Gallagher Stadium as their newest addition.

Higgs, speaking to Stones TV, said: “George (Elokobi, the Stones manager) has already given me stick about celebrating in front of him!

“It was a brilliant day but obviously apologies to all the Maidstone fans.”

Elokobi felt the celebrations were “a little bit over the top” and was also booked while trying to keep the peace. Brown had his second yellow card and suspension revoked upon appeal.

Higgs was voted Angels’ players’ player and supporters’ player-of-the-year last season. His strike against the Stones was also their goal-of-the-season.

An offer was made by the Angels to keep hold of Higgs but they said that after “the best efforts of the manager and the chair, that was turned down.”

The 27-year-old had previously been at Dover Athletic for a season having played at Dulwich Hamlet and Bromley before that.

He’s hoping the switch to Maidstone can bring him a chance of success next season.

He said: “I really enjoyed my season and felt I did well, it’s a shame as a team to finish where we did but I’m ambitious.

“I want to do better than I did last year and that was a big attraction in coming to Maidstone. I want to impress and win something in the (next) season.

“This is another step forward for me, I’ve been looking for that, the ambition. Hopefully I can achieve that (at Maidstone).

I want to settle down now, I’ve been on the move for the last few years. It’s a great club and I want to settle here and hopefully impress.”

Angels boss Jay Saunders, speaking of Higgs’ departure recently, said: “I’m gutted to lose Higgo but he’s been offered an opportunity to go full-time elsewhere and that’s something I can’t offer him.”