Folkestone Invicta boss Jay Saunders signs defender Jamie Fielding ahead of club’s first pre-season friendlies at Sutton Common Rovers and at home against AFC Croydon Athletic this weekend

Jay Saunders has reunited with one of his former Tonbridge Angels players at Folkestone Invicta.

Defender Jamie Fielding has signed ahead of Invicta's inaugural National League South season after he departed rivals Ebbsfleet United.

The 26-year-old had previously made more than 100 league appearances at Longmead across four campaigns prior to a one-season stint at the Fleet.

“The defensive area is an area we have been looking to strengthen,” said boss Saunders, who will see Fielding also play alongside forward Aaron Cosgrave, another to have left Stonebridge Road for Cheriton Road in the close season.

“We have lost Joel (Odeniran) and Sam German, and Ollie Black was out for all of last year. Although he’s training, Ollie still has a little way to go.

“That’s an area where we have looked to get better in, not so much in terms of quality, but just more through bodies. It’s an area we needed to strengthen so I’m pleased to get Jamie on board.

“We had a really good few years together and he was excellent for us at Tonbridge. We still need competition for [No.1] Ted Collins.

“Last pre-season, we maybe only had four or five for the first session so we’re in a much better position. You never say never to something coming up - I think Donell Thomas came about quite late in pre-season last year - so, if something comes up, we will look to do something.

“But if not, we are happy.”

Folkestone returned to training last week and have taken little time getting back into the swing of things.

Saunders said: “When you have come off the back of the season we had, a really good year, there’s that buzz. Then, you have got the fact that we have new players.

“In general, it has been really pleasing. There’s still that buzz around the place