Maidstone United sign former Ebbsfleet United forward Shaq Coulthirst, Pierre Fonkeu and Sam Smith

Maidstone have boosted their forward line with a double signing - including one player who is looking for a third successive promotion.

Forward Shaq Coulthirst has joined the Stones after his contract expired at Ebbsfleet, having spent the second half of the campaign on loan with Braintree.

Coulthirst was part of the Fleet squad that won the National League South title in 2022/23 and then helped Braintree secure a play-off spot, with the Essex side winning the play-offs - although Coulthirst missed out after being recalled by Ebbsfleet in the last week of the campaign.

On joining Maidstone, former Tottenham and Barnet striker Coulthirst told StonesTV: “I’m an all-action centre-forward. I can hold the ball up well, can bully defenders (and) can score so I just bring that to the team.

“My leadership is something I pride myself on, I’m very quiet off the pitch but on the pitch I’m very loud.

“I enjoyed last season. I went on loan to Braintree for the second half, we did well to get promoted via the play-offs. That’s two seasons that I’ve been promoted back to back so that’s something I want to continue.”

Coulthirst was the first of three signings announced by Maidstone on Friday.

Another attacking option well known to Kent has moved to the Gallagher with former Dartford wideman Pierre Fonkeu linking up with George Elokobi’s squad.

Fonkeu joins from relegated Oxford City and has also previously played for Weymouth.

Meanwhile, defender Sam Smith has signed a deal for the new season.

The 20-year-old impressed for the under-23 side last season and made 13 first-team outings after being handed a contract midway through the season.