Maidstone United summer signing Alfie Tuck discusses his move to the Gallagher Stadium after leaving Queens Park Rangers

Summer signing Alfie Tuck feels Maidstone United could be the perfect springboard to help him become a Football League player.

Midfielder Tuck, 20, had a big decision to make as he prepared to leave QPR, a club he joined aged nine, at the end of last season.

He signed his first pro deal with the R’s in 2024 but it became clear to the Wales youth international that it was time to move on with first-team football looking unlikely.

Tuck now gets the chance to show what he can do with Maidstone, a club with a glowing reputation for helping players progress up the leagues.

A strong campaign in National League South could prove mutually beneficial for both parties.

“I’ve been to the stadium twice now and I just thought Maidstone was the best option for me,” said Tuck.

“I’m looking forward to getting started.

“There’s ways to go about it when you’re leaving a club like QPR after such a long time.

“Sometimes it’s even if this country is the right one, because players do go abroad.

“But for me it was where can I get a full season at a team that should do well in this league and are trying to do well, and I can push on? I know they’ve got a good track record of players moving on.

“I knew I’d be leaving QPR. I’ve just turned 20 and at that age either you’re in the first team or you’re not.

“I’ve done two loan spells, I’ve been with the first team a fair few times but there’s no point being a training player with them, you want to build your own career.

“They could easily have kept me on but it would have limited both of us, whereas a good season with Maidstone and you work your way up through the leagues and suddenly you’re back in the EFL as quick as that.

“Step 2 is a highly-watched league, you see players getting moves all the