Maidstone United manager George Elokobi confirms departures of Harry Kyprianou and Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong

Harry Kyprianou and Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong won’t be returning to Maidstone, manager George Elokobi has confirmed.

Kyprianou, 28, was invited to pre-season training after missing almost all of last season with a foot injury.

But the former Southend utility man, who enjoyed a superb debut campaign with the Stones after joining early in the 2023/24 season, decided against taking up the offer.

Midfielder Berkeley-Agyepong, also 28, was offered a new contract after rejoining Maidstone towards the end of last season but couldn’t agree terms.

On Kyprianou, Elokobi said: “Harry was a fantastic servant for our football club.

“Unfortunately, he had to have a good think during the break and he was really respectful of being given the opportunity to come back after being out for almost the whole season.

“He just feels it’s time to take a back step.

“I don’t think he believes full-time training, or hybrid training, is for him at this stage.

“We spoke at length and thanked each other for the great memories because that’s what football is all about.

“He’s an excellent person and I was delighted to see him work so hard in the gym to ensure we gave him a chance to play at the end of last season, which he did.

“He was frustrated but he got some games under his belt and he played some key parts towards the end of last season, notably coming on against Worthing away in the play-offs.

“He worked hard for the team and nullified their danger players on the left side and brought a wealth of experience to us.

“He’s not going to be coming back and it’s important we think of all the good memories we created together because he was a fantastic person and a very good player as well.”

Berkeley-Agyepong played with Elokobi at Aldershot and the pair