Tonbridge Angels boss Steve McKimm adds former Maidstone United striker Ibrahim Olutade

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm has signed former Maidstone United striker Ibrahim Olutade.

The 22-year-old spent the last two Covid-19 hit seasons at their National League South rivals and has made the switch to Longmead Stadium for the 2021-22 campaign.

“I’m very pleased to have his signature,” McKimm told the club website.

“Because of the problems of the last two seasons due to the pandemic, he probably didn’t get anything like the number of appearances his talent justified.

“I believe he has a point to prove and I think he can do that with us.”

McKimm revealed that he has tried to sign Olutade before and that he is “so pleased that Ibrahim has agreed to sign and find the net for us this season.”

Olutade also added on Twitter: “My time at Maidstone United has come to an end.  I’ve met some great people along the way and I want to thank everyone at the club for the last two years.  I wish you all the best in the future.”

Meanwhile, Dartford manager Steve King has re-signed Luke Wanadio and Tyrique Hyde ahead of the new season.

The pair have previously played for the Princes Park outfit during the 2019-20 season before moving to their National League South rivals Billericay Town and Dulwich Hamlet respectively.

Dartford's current squad for next season now stands at 13 players with Craig King, Dan Wilks, Tom Bonner, Connor Essam, Josh Hill, Ronnie Vint, Jordan Wynter, Noor Husin, Jack Jebb, Luke Allen, Cameron Brodie, Wanadio and Hyde all putting pen to paper.

Welling United manager Steve Lovell has re-signed Olumide Durojaiye, Dipo Akinyemi, Kristian Campbell, Stefan Ilic and Ade Shokunbi.

Ebbsfleet United boss Dennis Kutrieb has retained the services of his captain, Lee Martin, who signed last summer from Exeter City and former Dagenham & Redbridge left-back Will Wood, 24, also stays at Stonebridge Road, as does striker Dominic Poleon, 27 and 27-year-old Jack Paxman.

The Fleet have also retained the services of former Eastbourne Borough right-back Tobi Adebayo-Rawling, 24, who made 20 appearances for Ebbsfleet United last season and winger Adam Mekki, 29, remains at the club having featured 20 times last term.

The German manager has snapped up midfielder Christian N’Guessan, 22, who arrives in Kent after leaving Premier League side Burnley.

Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin, meanwhile, has retained the services of Raphe Brown, Sam Corne, Joe Ellul, Gavin Hoyte and Dom Odusanya.

The club have also signed Perri Iandolo from the club's Academy and Max Sutton, who started playing for Maidstone United when he was eight years old.

Meanwhile, former Welling United and Dover Athletic striker, Ross Lafayette, 35, has announced his retirement after completing the National League season with Wealdstone at the weekend.

“And with the season ending, that is me hanging them up,” said Lafayette.

“Strange feeling but forever grateful to my team-mates, managers and clubs (too may to write!) that I ha the pleasure of going to war for.

“Accomplished my goal of becoming pro, going into the League and winning leagues.

“Huge shout out to Welling United, Wealdstone and Sutton United where I absolutely loved my time and had the most memorable seasons.”

Lafayett joined Welling United in 2012 and scored 19 goals to help Jamie Day’s side win the Conference South title. He then scored 16 goals in the top-flight before signing for then League Two side Luton Town.