I am delighted to have persuaded Aaron McLean to drop down two levels, says Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon

EBBSFLEET UNITED have today landed striker Aaron McLean after his short-term contract with Barnet expired.

The 32-year-old will bring a wealth of experience with him to the Fleet forward line, having played more than 350 games in the Football League, scoring upwards of 100 goals.

The former Leyton Orient youth player broke into the Os’ first team aged just 16 and played four seasons in the Football League, before dropping into non-league football with Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic, where he played regularly against the Fleet.

At Grays he won the FA Trophy in 2005/06 and, averaging a goal every other game, was lured back into the League by Peterborough United in 2007.

He scored 70 goals for Posh in a four-season stay that included successive promotions from League Two to the Championship and continued at that level when signing for Hull City in January 2011.

He played one game for Hull in the Premier League in 2013, against Tottenham Hotspur and also had spells on loan at Ipswich Town and Birmingham City.

He has also played five times for the England C team and won the League Two Golden Boot in 2007/08 with his return of 29 goals in 45 games.

Since leaving Hull, Aaron has played in League One with Bradford City and Peterborough once more before last summer signing a short-term deal at Barnet.

A regular starter for the Bees this season, he scored five goals in partnership with former Fleet favourite John Akinde, before agreeing a move to Stonebridge Road.

Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon told www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk: “Following the departure of Adam Cunnington to Bromley, I have been looking to bring in another striker to give me attacking options in the remaining 18 games and I am delighted to have persuaded Aaron to drop down two levels.

“He is a bubbly character and has bought into our plans for progressing the club on and off the pitch and he will give us greater competition for places.”

Fleet midfielder Matt Johnson has made his loan stay at Margate permanent.

The 25-year-old joined the Fleet in the summer of 2014 from Bishop’s Stortford where he had won several player-of-the-year awards.

He featured in more games than any other player during last season’s campaign, making 37 appearances, but this season turned out in just one game (in the Kent Senior Cup) and spent time on loan back at Bishop’s Stortford and Margate.

The former Rushden, Dover Athletic and Braintree Town player could be back at Stonebridge Road on 23 January when Margate visit in Vanarama National League South.

An Ebbsfleet United statement said: “Everyone at the club would like to wish Matt the best of luck in his future career at Margate and thank him for his efforts in a Fleet shirt.”

Meanwhile, Sean Shields – who was on loan at Hartsdown Park with Matt Johnson – has returned to Stonebridge Road following the end of his loan period.

Margate manager Nikki Bull was delighted to add Johnson to his squad on a permanent deal.

“It is a very important signing for us, he is a big presence for us in midfield,” Bull told www.margate-fc.co.uk.

“A lot of his work goes somewhat unnoticed but he gets around the pitch and also scores goals like we saw last week”.

Margate  have also confirm that midfielder Solomon Taiwo has been released from his contract.

The former Cardiff City and Dover Athletic player made 23 appearances for the Blues but now leaves the club with game time limited having returned from injury.

Bull insists it was a case of a good player just the wrong time.

He said: “Solomon has recently returned from injury and is fully fit but he has found game time hard to come by but his attitude has been first class. Sometimes you join a club and it just doesn’t work out, it happened to me during my career.

“Sol has a great attitude and I am sure he will move on from here and go on and have a good season but it just didn’t work out for him here”.

The club can also now confirm that Alex Gaggin has also been released.

The youngster was dual registered with Erith Town, however with game time at Margate limited the club has now terminated his registration with the Blues.

The statement added: “Everyone at Margate FC would like to wish Solomon and Alex the best for their future careers.”

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Visit Margate’s website www.margate-fc.co.uk