Popular ex-Gillingham striker Adebayo Akinfenwa comes out of retirement to sign for ambitious Isthmian South East strugglers Faversham Town

A hugely popular former Football League striker has joined Faversham to help their bid to avoid relegation from Isthmian South East.

Adebayo Akinfenwa, 40, links up with the Lilywhites to further help bolster their frontline as he comes out of retirement.

Known as "The Beast", the frontman, recognised as one of the strongest players in football, enjoyed two seasons with Gillingham between 2010 and 2014. There, he worked alongside Faversham coach Darren Hare who was their head of youth.

Akinfenwa played with Town boss Sammy Moore at AFC Wimbledon as well.

He also counts Leyton Orient, Doncaster, Torquay, Swansea and Northampton among his old sides before he initially retired last season with Wycombe.

Akinfenwa came off the bench for what then appeared the final match of his career, losing 2-0 at Wembley in the League 1 play-off Final to Sunderland.

Last season, Gills fans stayed behind at Priestfield to show their appreciation to Akinfenwa - who has in excess of 250,000 followers on Twitter - after he had come off the bench in April's 1-1 draw between the teams.

Akinfenwa started at Faversham in August 2010 as Gillingham beat the Lilywhites 1-0 during a pre-season friendly.

But now, Moore has convinced him to put his boots on once more.

He's in today's squad for their match at Lancing when Moore will come up against former Leyton Orient team-mate Dean Cox.

The Lilywhites have also extended the loan of young frontman Ronald Sithole until the end of the season and signed experienced midfielder Tyler Christian-Law.

Ex-Folkestone frontman Jerson Dos Santos has departed Faversham too.