Ex-Maidstone United winger Joan Luque joins Worthing

Former Maidstone United winger Joan Luque has a new club.

Luque, released after missing the entire 2022/23 National League season following knee surgery, has joined Worthing.

It opens up the possibility of the Spaniard facing Maidstone next season, with the clubs now together in National South.

“I’m delighted to sign for a club with ambitions that match my own,” Luque told Worthing’s website.

“I’m very excited to get started and hopefully make people enjoy my football again.”

Luque scored 22 goals and was named the league’s player-of-the-season as Maidstone won the National South championship a year ago.

However, he missed the final few games after suffering a cruciate ligament injury at Dartford and sat out Maidstone’s relegation this season as various comeback attempts stalled.

Stones boss George Elokobi’s decision not to offer the 30-year-old a new deal divided opinion among fans.

“Luque’s been an excellent servant to us,” said Elokobi at the time.

“He’s a strong fans’ favourite but I have to make decisions for our football club.

“I explained it to Luque and he understood it, although he may not have been happy with it, and I know that.”