Maidstone United loan signing Michael Petrasso made headlines after Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off for slapping him in an MLS game

Maidstone have signed a Canadian footballer whose claim to fame is being slapped by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Michael Petrasso was whacked by the legendary Swedish striker during an MLS game in 2018.

Ibrahimovic, who was playing for LA Galaxy, reacted to a challenge by Petrasso, then of Montreal Impact, and was sent off for his troubles.

Winger Petrasso, 28, has joined Maidstone on loan from Canadian club York United until the end of the year.

He knows all about English football after spending five years with QPR between 2013 and 2018.

During his time with the R’s, he had loan spells with Oldham, Coventry, Leyton Orient and Notts County.

Petrasso returned to Canada, signing for Montreal in MLS, before joining Canadian Premier League club Valour.

A move to York United followed in 2020, with Petrasso returning to English football on a season-long loan at Barnet where he scored 10 goals and was voted supporters’ player-of-the-year.

Petrasso flew back to the UK at the weekend and was in the crowd at the Gallagher on Tuesday night as Maidstone lost 1-0 to Aveley.