Ebbsfleet United manager Dennis Kutrieb on signing Shaquile Coulthirst from Billericay and 5-0 win over St Albans

Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb has revealed he’s been a long-time admirer of new signing Shaquile Coulthirst.

The 27-year-old joined from Billericay on Tuesday and went straight into the starting line-up for Fleet’s emphatic 5-0 win over St Albans at Stonebridge Road.

He’s a player that Kutrieb has been aware of since the Fleet boss arrived in the country in the summer of 2020.

“We looked at him a long time ago,” said Kutrieb. “He was one of the first names that I had on the table when I arrived here 18 months ago.

“We were always following him and what he is doing. I like him as a player, I think he’s a good striker as he has proved already in other leagues. He needs to settle in with us and build up some fitness as well and then I think we have a very good striker with us.”

Coulthirst’s arrival may have been prompted by the injury to Rakish Bingham, who is not expected to return to action until early March.

But he’s got plenty of pedigree having started at Tottenham while Peterborough paid money for him and he’s also enjoyed success at Barnet.

Kutrieb added: “He is experienced, he’s a very good character - that’s what I said all the time when I want to add to the squad, he needs to be a good character.

“He’s not a big talker, he’s just working hard. It’s a tough time for him because when you come from part-time to full-time, it takes a little bit. That’s why we gave him minutes straight away so we can build up his fitness because we’ll definitely need him in the next weeks.

“I’m happy that we have another striker on board now and he will definitely bring more (to) us. If he gets a chance, he will score. He never really had a big chance (on Tuesday) but I’m positive and optimistic that he will score goals for us.”

Dom