Former Maidstone United fans’ favourite winger Joan Luque on his summer switch to Isthmian Premier side Folkestone Invicta

Winger Joan Luque has explained why he turned down higher-division interest in favour of a move to Folkestone.

The Spaniard is arguably the pick of a cluster of Invicta summer signings as they target Isthmian Premier promotion in the new season.

He joins from National League South side Worthing having previously had a huge impact at Maidstone, where he became a fans’ favourite. He starred when the Stones won the 2021/22 National League South title with 22 goals.

Luque, who had a loan stint at AFC Totton last campaign, had chances to stay at Step 2 but opted to link up with Andy Drury’s team.

“Andrew contacted me,” explained Luque, who is now based in Eastbourne. “I was speaking to other clubs, as well, but it was the one that made the most sense for me.

“I had offers from National League South [clubs] but they were far away. With one of them, I have principles - I won’t say the team - but I would never go there. It was just the move that made the most sense.

“They want to push for promotion and, obviously, I want to achieve promotions in my career.

“That’s what football is about, trying to create good memories, getting promotions and winning leagues. Hopefully, we can do that.

“There’s a lot of work to do before we get to that day but, if I’m not wrong, we have got a good team.

“We’re signing good players and it’s all about how we’re going to glue-up together.”

Luque left the Stones last summer after he missed the whole of the 2022/23 National League season following knee surgery.

Now, though, he’s fighting fit and set to play alongside ex-Maidstone captain Gavin Hoyte once again, with Invicta unveiling the signing of 34-year-old Hoyte on Monday.

“I played with pain within the last season,” Luque revealed. “But that’s