Winger Bobby-Joe Taylor has joined Maidstone from Cambridge on a one-year deal after rejecting a new contract with the League 2 club.

Taylor made eight appearances in league and FA Cup for the Us last season and was on the bench for their fourth-round replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

But the 20-year-old has decided to drop into non-league football to kickstart his career and rejected offers from two other National League South clubs to join Jay Saunders' side.

Taylor, who plays on either flank, said: "Cambridge offered me a new contract but I made the decision to leave.

"I won't go into all the reasons but mainly I felt my chances were limited and I need to play more football.

"It could be seen as a risk dropping out of the league.

"Some people can't handle part-time football and fitting into normal life but I know it's the right decision for me.

"The focus for me, wherever I'm playing, is to make sure the team are doing well but I also want to do well for myself and I'm at an age where I need to play football and get experience.

"I only live 20 minutes away in Ashford and everyone there knows what a big club Maidstone are.

"Jay's had two promotions in three years, he seems to be a nice guy and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Taylor, who was on Gillingham's books aged 14 to 16, had a spell on loan at Bishop's Stortford in Conference South last season.

He can also operate behind the striker or at left-back.

See Friday's Kent Messenger for the full interview with Bobby-Joe Taylor.