Maidstone United sign highly-rated young striker Patrick Casey on loan from Charlton Athletic

Maidstone have signed teenage striker Patrick Casey on loan from Championship club Charlton.

Casey is highly rated by the Addicks, impressing in their academy set-up, and has joined the Stones on an initial 28-day deal to gain experience of men’s football.

The forward made his debut as a half-time substitute in Maidstone’s 1-0 win at AFC Totton in National League South yesterday.

“He is a player we’ve watched quite a lot and we know what he can bring in our attacking line,” said manager George Elokobi.

“There was lots of interest in Patrick and it’s important he chose us, which he did.

“I’m delighted to get this one over the line.

“Charlton believe this is the right time to allow him to come out and compete in senior football and to develop because it’s important he builds all the various parts in his game.

“He’s delighted to jump on this opportunity.

“We have to protect him on behalf of Charlton, we have to make sure we look after him, but also we have to make sure he gets the right development here with us.

“With the structure we’ve got at Maidstone United Football Club, I believe we can add so much value on to the ability that he’s got already and make him a much more accomplished footballer so that when he leaves our environment, whenever that’s going to be, he goes back to Charlton and is ready to kick on.”

Deon Moore scored the only goal as Maidstone won at newly-promoted Totton.

The Stones missed two penalties, with captain Sam Corne and then Moore denied by keeper Ryan Gosney.

But Moore’s first-half header was enough and United remain unbeaten going into their Bank Holiday Monday home game against Chelmsford.

They host Chelmsford at Gallagher on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).