Prestedge signs contract
Maidstone Acheampong tips Lokko for the top
Maidstone have clinched the signing of Reece Prestedge on a permanent deal.
Prestedge, 31, helped transform United’s season after joining on loan from Bromley in January and has been rewarded with a one-year contract.
Be it putting out fires in his own half or starting attacks, he played a starring role alongside Stuart Lewis and Jack Paxman in midfield as United secured National League safety.
Prestedge said: “I enjoyed my time here and just wanted to try and sort something out as soon as I could.
“Me and Stu clicked straight away when we came in on loan and it’s good to be able to continue that next season.
“I am looking forward to coming back and playing in front of the fans again. They’ve been brilliant ever since I arrived, the atmosphere’s good and they always get behind you no matter what.”
Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “We’ve been speaking since the end of the season and I am delighted to get the deal done.
“He was a big part of the run we went on to keep us in this league.
“I think there’s more to come from him as well as he hadn’t been playing regularly before coming to us and that’ll come with a good pre-season.” Stones centre-half Kevin Lokko has been tipped to return to the Football League one day. Former team-mate Anthony Acheampong is convinced Lokko – released by Colchester two years ago – will end up back in the professional game. The 21-year-old had a strong season after joining United from Welling, earning his first England C call-up. Acheampong said: “I love Lokko to bits. I’m confident he’ll go on and do much better than I’ve done in my career. “He has the right attitude, he’s hungry and willing to learn. “If was a league club, I’d definitely take a chance on him because he has a great future. “People forget he’s only 21. He’s just a baby in the game and is only going to get better. “I’m sure he’s got a league move in him. It doesn’t always happen that way but it’ll be good to see how he does.”