New signing Chi Ezennolim was so impressed with the set-up at Maidstone he abandoned his initial transfer plans.

Left-back Ezennolim turned down an improved contract at Welling this summer, with the aim of playing higher.

But the 21-year-old, voted both supporters’ player and players’ player-of-the-year at Park View Road, remains in National League South following an approach from Stones boss George Elokobi.

“I wanted to see what was higher,” said Ezennolim, who came through the youth ranks at Millwall.

“But then George told me the set-up was good at Maidstone and that I should come down the ground for a chat and see what I thought of it.

“I went down and was really impressed with the way things are run.

“Everything’s run professionally, which is one of the biggest things I wanted. It’s a really good set-up.

“I feel it’s going to be a good season. As soon as we gel as a team, we’ll take some stopping.”

Ezennolim was also drawn to the opportunity to learn from Elokobi, a man who played in his position in the Premier League.

“George said to me he wants to get me prepared for this season coming and the season after,” said Ezennolim.

“He wants me to push on. He wants to work with me every day and he wants me to keep getting better and better.

“He played in my position, so it makes it easier for me, as someone who’s been there and done it. He’s a top man.”

Ezennolim arrives at the Gallagher with a good grounding in the game following his years at Millwall.

He made a big impact in senior football at Welling, highlighted by the double player-of-the-year success, and Maidstone will only benefit.

“Millwall was good,” said the full-back, who loves to get forward.

“I feel like that was where I learnt to play left-back and football in general.

“Being in a professional environment helped, so wherever I go, I always have that gratitude to Millwall because that’s where I started off.

“It was good at Welling, where I tried my hardest, and it paid off, and I just have to keep going from here.

“I don’t think there’s anyone better to learn under than George.”

Maidstone report back for pre-season in a couple of weeks and there’ll be no excuses on the fitness front.

The squad have been given summer programmes by Elokobi, designed to give them a head start when it comes to gearing up for the 23/24 season.

Ezennolim received his on signing for the Stones.

He said: “I’ve been going to the gym and then George gave me a programme to get myself ready for pre-season, so I’ve been doing that.

“I actually feel really good, I’m sharp right now and I’ll only get fitter when we go back in.

“The programme is tough. It starts off easy and then the closer you get to going back, it gets harder.

“It’s good. There’s a variety of things on there and you pick what you want to do.

“You can do bike, you can go for a run, there’s pitch runs, gym work, everything.

“I like the variety. If one day you don’t fancy going for a run, you’ve got another exercise to pick from.”

The Stones have added a home friendly against Folkestone on July 25 (7.45pm) as part of their pre-season schedule.