Ollie Muldoon has confirmed his departure from Maidstone.

The former Charlton and Gillingham midfielder said he was offered the chance to stay but needs a fresh start after a "draining" season ended in National League relegation.

He made 40 appearances for the Stones in all competitions this term but appeared to be out of favour under John Still and Hakan Hayrettin before ending the campaign in the side.

Muldoon, 24, said: "I think I need a new challenge. Ideally I want to stay in the National League.

"Whether that happens or not, we'll see. I've had a few conversations but nothing concrete.

"They asked us probably three weeks or a month before the season finished what we all wanted to do.

"They said they wanted to keep me and that I could offer this, that and the other but I'd been out of the squad for the last month at the time and my mind was made up really.

"I didn't really do anything wrong to not be in the squad and when they started leaving me out I thought to myself they're not going to offer me anything.

"When they turned round and said we want you to stay it took me by surprise a little bit."

Muldoon will bide his time this summer and hopes the Stones' relegation won't affect his chances of finding a club.

He said: "Something will turn up. It's just waiting for the right one for you.

"You don't want to rush into something too early and end up thinking you've made a mistake, it's got to be right for both parties.

"It's still early doors. The league season's only just finished.

"If we'd stayed up it wouldn't be so difficult to get somewhere.

"We enjoyed it at Maidstone and if we'd stayed up I think most of us would have liked to stay and give it a right good go next season.

"Getting relegated, I wouldn't say it harms your chances of getting somewhere else but it doesn't help.

"I really do hope Maidstone get back to the National League.

"It's sad to move on and it felt weird when we left.

"At the end of the day they are a league club with all the fans, it just needs to be structured properly and I think it will be now.

"They might need to start afresh and go again.

"We had so many ins and outs, you just get demoralised by it all.

"It becomes draining. It was a long old slog last season."

Muldoon hasn't given up on a Football League career but accepts it won't happen next season.

He said: "Unless I knew a manager and he knew what I could do it's going to be a gamble for a league club to bring in a player who's been relegated from the National League.

"I'm looking for the year after to try and get back in the league.

"I need a good year, a stable year, and go from there."

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