Maidstone striker Mo Faal has told how a spell playing in Italy helped him become the player he is today.

Faal has hit the ground running since joining on loan from Havant for the rest of the season, scoring in all four league appearances.

The 26-year-old arrived with a big reputation having been prolific across two spells at Enfield - including 42 goals in one season - and continuing that form with the Hawks.

He’s lived up to his billing at the Gallagher and can trace his potency back to his time as a youngster with Serie C club L’Aquila.

The Italians know how to defend and there was no better place for Faal to learn his trade as a forward.

“The rumour is true - they absolutely love defending,” said Faal.

“They hate goals being scored. I learned a lot over there.

“I learned about space and patterns of play so when I came back to the English game, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, there’s so much space to play compared to Italy, so many more pockets’.

“So it definitely developed my game further.

“I’ll never forget that time.

“As you go through life there’s always things that change you and shape you and that time, the good and the bad, has made me the player I am today. I’m grateful for every experience.”

The chance to go on trial in Italy came after impressing an agent while banging in goals for London club Ryan FC.

He spent a couple of seasons in the first team before returning to England and joining Dulwich Hamlet in 2017.

Faal said: “The agent, who I still speak to today, said he had an opportunity for me to go on trial, and would I like to do it?

“I said 1 million per cent because I didn’t want to go to university and I went out there and signed in two days.

“They loved me and I scored about 18 goals over there and made my Serie C debut.

“After the first season, I thought something could happen for me in Italy but things changed.

“If I had a great first season, the second was an absolute nightmare, with injuries and playing in pain.

“Being away from family, not having the support system, all these things started catching up with me, and I came home and started my non-league journey with Dulwich.”

Fast-forward and Faal, whose form in non-league led to a brief spell with Bolton, is loving life at Maidstone under George Elokobi.

He’s swapped a relegation fight at Havant for a promotion push at the Gallagher and can’t stop scoring.

“I didn’t expect to start like this, as much as you hope to,” said Faal, who scored the second goal in a 3-2 win over Torquay on Tuesday night.

“I just hope I can continue that way and it translates to the team winning games.

“It’s a bit of a contrast, coming from a club at the bottom of the league, but it’s what I want.

“I wanted to be challenging for things and I’m glad to be here doing that and contributing to winning games.

“Surprisingly, it was easier than I thought to get the deal done.

“I’m not sure if I was 100% wanted there but my focus is on here and when I spoke to the gaffer before signing he made it clear how much he wanted me, what I could do for the team and how good I’d be for the team.

“That’s what I want to hear from a manager and I’m paying him back.”

The Stones were desperate for a big striker after losing Levi Amantchi to Bromley.

They aren’t easy to find but in Faal they’ve landed the ideal replacement.

“We’re a rarity these days - like unicorns - but I’m just glad to be here,” said Faal.

“I’ve felt such a good welcome from everyone, the fans, the players, and the staff.

“I just feel like every game I play I can affect it, I can score, I can assist.

“I’ve been fortunate to play for teams and managers that appreciate me as a player and I feel like I’ve got the same here.

“I think they recognise the qualities I’ve got and thankfully I’m putting them to good use.”

The only downside for Faal is sitting out Maidstone’s FA Cup run, having already played in the competition this season for Havant.

He watched the fourth-round win at Ipswich at home with his wife and daughter.

“I’m so gutted I’m missing out on that but I’m so pleased for the boys,” said Faal.

“I’ll be making the trip to the next round to support them.

“It’s good to be part of it and feel the buzz - everyone’s loving it.

“Watching the game, it was like, ‘Wow’. On the Friday I’m training with the boys and on Saturday I’m watching them on TV.

“It was crazy but I was really happy for them.”

Maidstone host Hemel Hempstead this Saturday (3pm).