Teenage Ramsgate defender Louie Procopi joins Deal Town on dual-registration agreement as last term’s Kent Senior Trophy Finalists host Holmesdale in the First Round

Young defender Louie Procopi has joined Deal on a dual-registration basis - having trained with them in pre-season.

Teenager Procopi briefly worked alongside Steve King’s Hoops in the summer after leaving Isthmian Premier Margate before he was snapped up by Ramsgate manager Ben Smith and landed a trial with Premier League Brentford.

He was on the bench as Deal returned to Southern Counties East Premier Division action with a 1-1 draw at Punjab United last weekend and Hoops boss King says he could play for them again soon when not required by the Rams.

“We were looking at bodies and areas that we thought we could strengthen in,” said King.

“Obviously, I get on well with Smithy at Ramsgate.

“We may well use him in the coming weeks as and when they aren’t using him.

“He actually did a pre-season session with us before Ramsgate went back.

“He ended up signing down there and went on trial at Brentford.

“He might be someone we have available at points in the next few weeks as well.”

The Hoops came from behind at Punjab United in their first competitive match in 12 days.

Substitute defender Alfie Foster equalised but, despite the hosts having a player sent off before play had even restarted after a first-half drinks break, the visitors couldn’t find a winner in front of a 153-strong crowd.

King noted: “Alfie started on the bench.

“We went with Kane Smith ahead of him. That was a tough decision.

“Alfie’s excellent for us but we went with Kane from the start.

“Alfie came on after an hour and scored pretty much straight away with a header from a corner.

“I was really pleased that he could do that.

“Obviously, that set us up with 30 minutes left to go and win the game.

“We created chances but we didn’t take them in that period.”

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