Love Island’s Tyrique Hyde – formerly of Dartford and Welling United – signs for Faversham alongside ex-Ashford United defender Ben Gorham

Tyrique Hyde - a former contestant on Love Island - has joined Faversham.

Hyde links-up with ambitious Town as they aim to get their Southern Counties East Premier Division promotion push back on track.

The 24-year-old midfielder counts Dartford, Welling, Lewes and Dagenham & Redbridge among his former clubs.

The son of Jamaican international Micah Hyde, Hyde is one of two new signings announced by Tommy Warrilow’s fourth-placed Lilywhites alongside former Sittingbourne and Ashford defender Ben Gorham.

Both players will be available for Saturday’s match against Sutton Athletic.

Explaining the move to the club’s Lilywhites podcast, he said: “I haven’t really played football in a while and I know a few players here, and I’d heard some good stuff about the club and the set-up that’s here.

“I thought ‘Do you know what? I want to get back into football’ and this is the place for me to come back into it.”

Hyde was a contestant on season 10 of Love Island last year but explained why football is still hugely important to him.

He said: “Football was a massive part of my life before Love Island and it still will be a massive part of my life now - hence why I’m here!

“I’ve had a good chat with the manager (Warrilow). I haven’t really played football in a while, I think everyone knows that, but I want to get the cobwebs off.

“It shouldn’t take me too long and then I’ll get back out there.”

Hyde is the latest high-profile recruit at Faversham in recent seasons, with the club bringing popular ex-Gillingham striker Adebayo Akinfenwa out of retirement in their unsuccessful Isthmian South East survival bid last season.

Hyde played alongside Town captain Connor Essam at Princes Park.