Midfielder Ryan Hanson joins Maidstone United from Dover Athletic in move which sees him reunited with Craig Fagan from their Hull City days

Maidstone United have signed midfielder Ryan Hanson from fellow Kent club Dover Athletic.

The move sees Hanson reunited with Stones manager Craig Fagan, having played under him in the under-23 set-up at Hull City.

“He’s a local lad, he’s hungry, he wants to learn, he wants to get better,” said Fagan.

“He’s someone that I’ve always liked.

“He’s got a bit of bite to his tackles but he can play with the ball as well.

“He’s had a bit of a Football League grounding, coming from Crystal Palace’s academy, and he’s one we’re looking forward to getting in the building and getting that extra bit of legs and bite in midfield.

“He’s a great size. He hasn’t scored as many goals as he can, with his aerial ability, and he knows that. We’ve already had that conversation.

“But he’s a selfless player, he’s a team player and sometimes that doesn’t get recognised as much by fans as it should do, but I’m sure our fans will love that he’s giving his all for the club.”

Hanson, 25, has also played National League South football for Torquay United and Tonbridge Angels, as well as Dover, where his contract has expired.

The fact he’s worked with Fagan before helped get the Maidstone deal done.

“It helps, in terms of he knows me, he knows what I’m about,” said Fagan.

“I’ve coached him when he was at Hull, so he understands the way I coach is to make people better and he wants to be involved in that and be involved in full-time football.

“From my point of view, knowing him makes it a little bit easier.

“Yes, he’s improved from when I had him but there’s traits I liked which he still has which he can bring to the Maidstone team.”

Hanson is looking forward to linking up with Fagan and wants to help Maidstone challenge for a play-off place, having