George Elokobi pays tribute to ex-Maidstone United winger Joan Luque following his retirement

George Elokobi has paid tribute to Joan Luque following his former Maidstone team-mate’s retirement, aged 32.

Elokobi said it was a privilege to play with the Spaniard, who spearheaded the Stones’ 2022 National League South title success.

He scored 22 goals and was named the league’s player of the year although he missed the end of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in a derby win at Dartford.

The winger would never play for the Stones again and was released a year later following National League relegation.

He joined Worthing and this summer moved to Folkestone only to announce his retirement last week.

It was Elokobi - who’d been Luque’s captain - who had to make the difficult decision to release him after succeeding Hakan Hayrettin as manager.

But his respect for a player who’s still loved at the Gallagher Stadium remains absolute and he wishes him well in the future.

“He’s had a fantastic career,” said Elokobi of Luque, who started out in Barcelona’s academy.

“As a player, when you’re coming towards the end of your time, only you can determine when that curtain is closed.

“He’s got to look at his entire career and how he’s gone about it.

“I can only speak from when I played with him.

“He had a sublime season here with us and had a massive part in terms of us getting promoted to the National League but unfortunately he suffered a big injury.

“I don’t know how that affected him psychologically and physically.

“I’ve been there, I know how it is, but I can’t say for sure how it affected Luque.

“But it’s important he looks at all the positives from a very good career at the levels he’s played at.

“He’s got to look at the successes he’s had and how he’s impacted the clubs he’s played for.

“He knows fully well