Former Maidstone midfielder Jack Richards has linked up with Jay Saunders at Margate.

The 20-year-old left United after rejecting a new deal and had interest from at least one National League South club.

But he’s chosen to follow his old Stones boss to the Bostik Premier Blues and is looking forward to once again playing for Saunders, the man who gave him his debut as a 16-year-old in 2016.

Richards told Margate’s website: “Having been at Maidstone for so long, I could never see myself leaving there, I thought I was going die in a Maidstone shirt to be honest!

“But with Jay coming to Margate and me wanting a new club, it was a perfect opportunity for me to come down and play and I’m really looking forward to it.

• Richards leaves Stones
• Mind matters for Jack

“Jay will never have a bad squad. With young players like myself we are hungry, we want to win and everyone he has signed so far is a very good player, so it’s looking positive.”

Richards add to Margate’s attacking options having also signed defender Jay Porter from Enfield yesterday.

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