Former Folkestone Invicta defender Joel-Michael Odeniran could face reunion with old club as he signs for National League South side Maidenhead United

Young former Folkestone Invicta defender Joel-Michael Odeniran could face a swift reunion with his old club.

Odeniran, who turns 21 in August, helped Jay Saunders' side to a title-winning 2025/26 Isthmian Premier campaign but departed last month.

He has since joined forces with National League South Maidenhead, who were knocked out of the 2025/26 play-offs through a 2-0 defeat against Dorking Wanderers, meaning Odeniran should make a Cheriton Road comeback in 2026/27.

"It feels good," Odeniran told the Magpies’ website on joining the club. "It’s a massive club.

"The facilities are good and I’m just really happy to be here.”

Having tasted promotion with Folkestone, Odeniran is keen to do the same again at Maidenhead.

He said: “We’re looking to get promoted and that matches my goals.

"Winning the league was nice so the goal is to keep doing it and let it be a consistent thing in my career.”

Odeniran, who also had previous loan experience with Isthmian South East side Herne Bay under then-boss Steve Lovell, largely played alongside captain Kevin Lokko - a former Maidenhead man - at Folkestone.

"Kevin’s one of the best captains I’ve had – [a] great guy," he said.

"He taught me a lot of things, was my mentor at my last club so, now, it’s my turn to take his words into action in a different environment."

Odeniran found the net five times for Invicta during their title-winning season but was humble about his contributions in front of goal.

He said: “The ball just happened to drop to my foot a lot of times - or off my head!

“But I do like to score a lot and a couple of crosses here and there for a couple of assists so, yeah, that’s a big part of my game.”

Maidenhead manager Ryan Peters added: “A phrase I always reiterate to my