Striker Joe Taylor admits he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Leroy Lita after the former Premier League man signed for Margate.

The pair’s paths crossed as youngsters growing up in Thanet and they are now set to spearhead Margate’s attack for Saturday’s Bostik Premier game at Worthing.

Lita’s signing was confirmed by the Gate on Saturday after the 33-year-old’s international clearance had come through and Taylor described the news as ‘brilliant.’

The much travelled former England under-21 forward has played for a host of professional clubs including Middlesbrough, Reading, Bristol City, Swansea and Charlton.

Taylor said: “Leroy’s played in the Prem, the championship and abroad.

“I’ve watched his career because he used to live in Margate, I live in Margate and he’s someone that I’ve known.

“I used to travel up to the Chelsea academy with him when I was very young.

“I’ve already told him at training but he says he can’t remember that far back!

“I’m 27 now but I’m still learning and I will learn a lot from someone like him.”

Summer signing Taylor was delighted to score his second and third goals of the season in Saturday’s 3-2 A Cup win over Wessex League side Horndean.

His second-half double helped the Gate turn the tie around after they had trailed early on, with his second coming from the spot.

The former Sittingbourne and Folkestone Invicta man took over penalty duties with Frannie Collin's blessing after his team-mate had seen his spot kick saved against Lewes the week before.

Taylor explained: "I've always been a penalty taker and I rarely miss touchwood. I'd said to Fran at the start of the season I want penalties but I'd only just come into the team so I didn't take them straight away.

"We've had five penalties since I've been here and I've won four of them. I feel like they were all goalscoring opportunities that I would have scored from so I was pleased Fran gave me the nod .

" That (the penalty) was my third goal of the season. I would have hoped for a few more by now but three in seven is not bad. I'm just hoping to kick on now.

"They (joint managers Mike Sandmann and Steve Brown) have kept playing me even when I didn't score for a few games, they've kept faith in me and it feels really good to have people who believe in me."