Playmaker Jack Paxman has signed a one-year deal with Maidstone.

The former Southend youngster has been rewarded for his pre-season performances, with boss Jay Saunders convinced he’s ready for National League South.

Saunders said: “I left it that he’d come back for pre-season and we’d try and agree something.

“We like to put our young lads on contract and you can see the ability he’s got. The big thing now is to nail down a position.

“We played him out wide at Beckenham last weekend and in centre-midfield against Welling on Tuesday.

“He’s a ball-carrier. He wants it all the time and it’s especially important we look after it a lot more moving up a level.

“Jack gives us that and hopefully he’ll progress with us.”