Picture: KM Group
Relegation threatened Maidstone United have completed the signing of prolific striker Jake Embery after he left Step 4 side Herne Bay.
The 19-year-old front man, who has penned a contract to stay at the Gallagher Stadium until the end of next season, scored 49 goals in 85 games for the Bostik South East Club.
Speaking to KentOnline, Maidstone boss Hakan Hayrettin said: “He’s scored bundles of goals and we’ve been tracking him before we came to this football club.
“It happened to be that he’s only down the road from us.
“A goalscorer’s a goalscorer.
“He’s got to step up now and score at this level and that’s what we’re hoping he’ll do.
“Is he going to be involved this season? I don’t know but he’s bright, he’s young, he’s hungry, he’s enthusiastic, he doesn’t mind who he plays against in training, he shows willing and he’s a good kid.”
Meanwhile, yesterday a statement on Herne Bay’s official club website read: “The Club have been advised that Jake will be signing for Maidstone United tomorrow
“The Club are not at all happy about this but Jake’s agent has done a deal with Maidstone United and we have been left we no choice.
“We were asked by Jake to cancel his contract and he would be prepared to play for nothing. He signed non-contract forms with Herne Bay and we were fully expecting him to play against Whitstable on Saturday.
“Very disappointing but these things happen in football.
“Jake has proved his goal scoring ability and has put in a great shift for the club in the time he has been with us and we wish him the best of luck in his full time in football.
“It will take an exceptional striker to come to club to get anywhere near his goal scoring record for Herne Bay.
“If it doesn’t work out for Jake I am sure we would welcome him back we open arms”.
