Zihni Temelci has hit the ground running in his bid to earn a contract at Maidstone.

Temelci, 20, enjoyed an impressive full debut in the Stones' 4-1 win at Oxford City last weekend and played another 90 minutes against Chippenham on Tuesday.

The Turkish-Cypriot midfielder is determined to take his chance after a move to League 2 Crawley fell through.

Temelci, who moved to England from Cyprus four months ago, said: "Firstly I came for Crawley and they promised me a contract but they didn't do it and I said I need to go.

"My agent, I think he's a friend of Hak (Stones head coach Hakan Hayrettin), spoke to Maidstone and they said I can go on trial.

"I trained with the team and we had a friendly against Dover, which was good, and I signed non-contract.

"I just keep continuing to try to get the contract.

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"I believe in myself and I saw the team, the players and the supporters and the passion they have for the club.

"The gaffer John (Still) and Hak, they support me, so hopefully I will get the contract and stay here.

"John jokes with me and I like it. You can't always be serious. I think he likes me and I love John and Hak. Hopefully we will be together."

Temelci is learning all time, both in terms of the language and adapting to English football.

He has Hayrettin to fall back on, should he need to speak in his native tongue, but he's thrown himself into the English way of life and is enjoying living in Maidstone.

"I spent three years playing in Turkey," said Temelci.

"Here the game is more physical and I think harder.

"You need to keep running, keep chasing the play and go forward as quick as you can.

"In Turkey, we play pass, pass, technical play but here it's technical and physical.

"England was always my dream and hopefully I will maybe play in the upper leagues - League 1 or Championship.

"I'm trying to improve my English.

"If you live here you need to learn everything because you have friends, you want to share something and in the game you need English as well.

"Before I came here, I learned some English at school, but that's it.

"Now I'm here, day by day it's going to be better. I'm giving my effort to learn it.

"I love Maidstone as well. I go out in the town centre after training and I've joined the gym."

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