Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders believes he’s landed the ideal replacement for departed defender Alex Finney.

Finney left for Eastbourne last month, just a couple of weeks after joining from National League South champions Ebbsfleet.

That saw Saunders step up his pursuit of Kodi Lyons-Foster, a player he’d already held talks with this summer.

The 26-year-old, a former Spurs academy man, arrives at Longmead after five seasons with National League Aldershot.

“To be honest, I’d spoken to Kodi earlier in the summer,” said Saunders, who has also signed striker Stefan Payne from Welling.

“We’d made contact and he didn’t want to commit, he was keeping his options open and he had to make that decision whether he was going to try and stay full-time, like he was at Aldershot, or go part-time.

“We’d stayed in contact and I made him aware I was interested when we had Finney.

“Once Finney left, it was, right, let’s really try and push it and get it over the line.

“Obviously Finney’s got experience and I felt it was important we got someone else who had that experience but I didn’t want someone who can’t move any more.

“Kodi’s someone who’s a good age, he’s still mobile and I just felt it was a good fit for us and for him.

“I’ve always liked Kodi. He’s come up against my sides for years.

“When the chance came I just felt it was right for everyone for him to come in.

“He’s missed out on a lot of training, where he was waiting to see what was happening, so we’ve got to get him up to speed, but he’s a good player and a good talker.

“He’s been at a higher level for a good few years but he’s been on loan at this level (with Welling last season), so he knows the league.”

Payne, meanwhile, joins Tonbridge after scoring 11 goals for Welling in National South last season.

The 31-year-old counts Gillingham and Dover among his former clubs.

A prolific spell at Crabble earned a move to Barnsley and he’s also been at Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers, Tranmere and Grimsby in the Football League.

“Stefan is another great addition to our squad,” Saunders told Angels’ website.

“He’s someone that has scored goals at this level and above and I’m sure, in this environment, we will get the best out of him.”

Midfielder Scott Wagstaff has been named the new captain at Tonbridge, who visit Worthing in their National South opener next month.

The 33-year-old, who made hundreds of Football League appearances for Charlton, Bristol City, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon, was voted double player-of-the-year in his debut campaign at Longmead.

He succeeds Sonny Miles, who left at the end of last season after more than 500 appearances for the club.

Long-serving winger Joe Turner is the new vice-captain.

Saunders said: “I just felt Waggy, with his experience, it made sense to make him captain.

“He made a good impression when he came in last year and he’s well respected by the boys.

“It was a tricky one because you’ve got to replace Sonny, who’s been captain for a long time, so you want to make sure you pick the right fella, but Waggy’s been great since he’s come in.

“It’s gone down well with the boys and he was pleased to be asked, so it’s a good fit really.

“With JT being at the club a long time, he knows everyone, and knows the set-up, so I felt he was perfect for vice-captain.

“If Waggy’s ever not available, JT will do a good job.

“They’re probably leaders in different ways. Joe’s probably not as vocal as Waggy but leads by his work rate and everything.”

Tonbridge host Ebbsfleet in a friendly tonight (7.45pm), having won 3-0 at Rusthall and 1-0 at Folkestone in their opening warm-up matches.

There’s a meet the players afternoon at Longmead on Sunday (12.30pm), followed by further home friendlies against Stansfeld on Monday and League 1 club Charlton on Tuesday (both 7.45pm).