Sittingbourne have added to their attacking ranks with the signing of a player who’s back home from the United States.

Centre-forward Ryan Kingsford left for America in 2019, following a successful two years in the Dover Athletic Academy, and continued his football and education stateside.

Kingsford was handed a trial at Maidstone United this summer and it was while playing for them in a recent friendly against Sittingbourne that he caught the eye of Brickies boss Ryan Maxwell.

Maxwell was quick to make his move when he realised there was an opportunity.

The manager said: “He did well out there in America and came back and did very well against us.

“I spoke to his representatives, who I know pretty well, and Maidstone made me aware that they had enough in that area.

“Although he had done well they suggested he went and got first-team football, so that gave us an opportunity.

“He played his first game on Saturday [against Lordswood], he fitted in well, he has a great attitude and he’s a good worker, technically good and at 22 needs to improve, but I like his attitude.

“I think he’s going to add something to the team that we haven’t got.

“He wants to improve, his attitude has been very good and I liked him on Saturday in terms of his brain, his intelligence, the movement around him.

“He hit the post and put in an unbelievable cross for one of the goals. His all-round game is good and I am looking forward to working with him.”

The Brickies won their weekend game 4-0 against Lordswood.

Maxwell said: “We don’t get too wrapped up in the actual scoreline, it’s more about the minutes and getting fit and understanding what we’re trying to do, how we’re going to play.

“We got all of that out of it and a few headaches out of it as well because the majority of the boys played well.

“I have a lot to think about over the next few weeks, which is a great problem to have, of course. It was a good day and a very useful workout.”

Next up is a Thursday night match at home against Isthmian Premier side Bowers & Pitsea.

Maxwell believes it will be a great match to see how his side stack up against a side at the higher level.

He said: “The game will be a good measuring stick for us.

“Folkestone (who Sittingbourne played recently, losing the match 2-1) and Bowers are Step 3 opposition and we are measuring ourselves off those two.

“We lost in the [Isthmian South East] play-offs last year so there isn’t a lot between us, on paper anyway, and certainly from my point of view they are the games I am looking at to see where we’re at really and they will be doing the same, I am sure.

“I am looking forward to a competitive game. I am sure we will get one and it will be a good game for both clubs.”

Sittingbourne host Bromley under-23s on Saturday, August 3 (3pm) in their last pre-season match before the league campaign gets under way.

Their first game of their 2024/25 Isthmian South East campaign is at home to Broadbridge Heath on Saturday, August 10.