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Maidstone United striker Matt McClure is leaving the club to join Gloucester City.
McClure made a farewell appearance as a second-half substitute in the Stones’ 1-1 draw with Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday night.
His contract at the Gallagher runs out on Thursday, after which he will be announced as a Gloucester player.
City, 19th in National League North, are managed by McClure’s former Aldershot team-mate James Rowe and have made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
McClure scored 10 goals after joining the Stones on a short-term deal in the early weeks of the season, including a hat-trick against this Saturday’s opponents, St Albans.
Head of football John Still said: “Matt’s gone. He’s had an offer from Gloucester, it’s an offer we couldn’t get close to.
“He’s been brilliant for us, absolutely brilliant.
“He’s a good player, he’s a good goalscorer, he’s a good lad, he’s a good part of the team, but you can only pay what you can pay, can’t you?”
McClure is the fourth player to leave Maidstone in a matter of weeks, following Nana Kyei, Luke Pennell and Jonny Edwards.
Still says he’s over budget but is hoping to bring in reinforcements.
He said: “We are over budget with the greatest respect, a little bit of that is down to injuries.
“That’s helped get us a bit back more in line and we are now speaking to the club.
“I’d like to think by Thursday, Friday, we can do something.”
