Maidstone United sign Middlesbrough forward Pharrell Willis on loan and bring midfielder Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong back to the Gallagher Stadium
Maidstone United made two signings on non-league transfer deadline day - one from Middlesbrough and the other a familiar face.
Forward Pharrell Willis has moved south from Championship club Boro on loan for the rest of the season, while midfielder Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong returns after a spell at Wealdstone.
Both players are available for United’s home game against National League South promotion rivals Boreham Wood this afternoon.
Willis, 22, made his Boro debut in a 3-0 league win at Blackpool in November 2022 after impressing manager Michael Carrick.
“You see things as a coach,” the former Manchester United and England midfielder told reporters at the time.
“Certain things catch your eye.
“He plays with that spark, that freedom, he’s had a good attitude.”
It’s a second loan move this season for Willis, having made six appearances for Scottish club Queen of the South, scoring once.
“With Pharrell, it’s important we understand he’s a young prospect,” said Maidstone manager George Elokobi.
“He plays in several key positions in the attacking third.
“We have to settle him slowly into the squad, into the team.”
Berkeley-Agyepong excelled at Maidstone after arriving midway through last season, making 15 appearances before an injury at Dartford in March ended his involvement.
The Grenada international, who started out at Crystal Palace, was part of the Stones side who stunned Ipswich in the FA Cup fourth round.
“With Jacob, we know all about him, he knows all about us and it’s a relationship we built over time,” said Elokobi.
“It’s important when such quality is available we look at it.
“Jacob was really happy to come back and help us out.
“He knows our structure, how we work here at Maidstone United Football Club and he