Former Maidstone and Ashford striker Max Watters has joined Championship club Cardiff in a deal worth up to £1 million.

Watters finished last season on loan at the Stones from Doncaster and was set to sign a contract before a friendly against Crawley saw the League 2 club pinch him from under their noses.

With 16 goals in 19 games this season he was linked with a host of clubs, including Premier League outfits Brighton and West Brom.

Swansea were also said to be in the hunt but their Welsh rivals Cardiff beat them to it, signing Watters on a deal to the summer of 2024.

“When I first found out about Cardiff’s interest I was immediately attracted to it,” Watters told the Bluebirds website.

“As a striker, you’ve got to score goals and that’s what I’m here to do.”

Watters could make his debut when Cardiff host QPR on Wednesday.

“Hopefully I’m involved and hopefully we can get the win,” he added.

Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin revealed earlier this season how close he’d been to signing Watters, following his release by Doncaster.

“I knew his potential, that’s why I wanted to sign him,” said Hayrettin.

“He was the first person I offered a deal to in the summer.

“He said he wanted to come but then he went to Bromley and Dagenham and when they turned him down, he came back.

“I said, ‘All right then, come and play and we’ll sort something out.’

“He played in the Crawley game and then he was gone.

“They wanted to take him on trial, and he went, and this is the result of what happened.

“I identified him, when other teams turned him down, and now he’s banging in the goals.

“No one expected him to score so many but I knew he had the potential."

Maidstone were 2-1 winners over Dorking in the FA Trophy this afternoon.

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