Maidstone have pulled off the signing of former West Ham forward Zavon Hines.

The 28-year-old is looking to rebuild his career after leaving Southend in the summer and has rejected Football League clubs to join United.

Hines made 22 Premier League appearances in a four-year spell at Upton Park, scoring a last-minute winner against Aston Villa in November 2009.

He’s also played Coventry, Burnley, Bournemouth, Bradford and Dagenham.

Stones moved for the former England under-21 international with Jamar Loza still on the sidelines.

Boss Jay Saunders said: “With Jamar missing we’ve been looking for someone who will maybe give us that creative spark, that something different and a bit of pace and I think Zavon obviously will do that.

“We’re delighted to get him on board. I’m sure he’ll tell you he needs a good season playing and getting back to the levels I know he can get to.

“He’s an exciting one for us and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“Jam’s been a big miss to us, everyone knows that, because he added something different and it’s been a case of we’re not sure when he’s going to be back.

“He’s seen a specialist again today so I just felt it was still an area we needed to look and thankfully the chairman’s been good enough to help us out to bring Zavon in.

“I know he had a few league club options but thankfully he’s come down here and if we can get him going he’ll be a very good signing for us.”

Hines, a League Cup runner-up with Bradford in 2013, has had his knee injury problems over the years but is ready to fire at the Gallagher and could face Wrexham on Saturday.

He said: “West Ham have always been good for youngsters and they gave me my opportunity to play in the Premier League and to show what I could do.

“Now I’m fully focused on rebuilding myself again.

“Jay’s given me a good opportunity now to get myself back out there and just enjoy football first of all.

“After a while, when I was injured, I started to think maybe I should give up on football but football’s my passion and now I’ve got this opportunity I want to repay the gaffer for his faith.”