Ebbsfleet United announce new deals for player-of-the-year Ben Chapman and Jack Paxman

Ebbsfleet have retained the services of Ben Chapman and Jack Paxman this season.

The Fleet duo are the first two names to be announced as putting pen to paper on new deals at Stonebridge Road.

A total of 16 players were offered new deals or were in talks with Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign.

While Tobi Adebayo-Rowling’s departure to National League Notts County was announced at the end of last month, the majority of those are believed to have agreed to stay at Ebbsfleet.

More players are expected to have their new deals confirmed in the coming days.

Chapman flourished under Kutrieb’s charge last season, culminating in earning him the player-of-the-year award from Ebbsfleet fans.

The 23-year-old, who started his career at Gillingham, featured in both defence and midfield and was named in KentOnline’s team-of-the-year such was his consistency across 42 appearances.

Chapman said: “Can’t wait to get going again, got some unfinished business to attend to.”

Midfielder Paxman, 28, joined from Billericay in September 2020. He scored two goals in 32 starts and eight substitute appearances last season.

Defender Franklin Domi, who made just three substitute appearances at the end of last season, has been offered a deal by the Fleet.

He joined on loan from QPR at the end of March but was released by the west London outfit when the campaign concluded.

Fleet’s pre-season schedule has also been confirmed.

They will travel to Punjab United for their first game on Friday, July 8 and visit Chatham on July 12. They host a West Ham XI on July 15 before visiting Bowers on July 19.

Fleet host Colchester on July 23, visit Corinthian on July 27 and will have a home friendly on July 30, with opposition