Margate manager Nikki Bull has revealed that his latest recruit has turned down far better financial offers to commit to the Blues.

Alex Osborn will move to Hartsdown Park on a one-year deal once his contract with their Vanarama National League South rivals Ebbsfleet United expires at the end of June.

The 22-year-old, who can play either in midfield or attack, spent time as a youngster at Dagenham, and Bull believes the club have pulled off a real coup by getting him to come to Thanet.

Osborn was being courted by a host of other clubs and Gate boss Bull said: "I don't think I'll meet another player this summer who had as many offers on the table as he did and I have to take my hat off to him. It shows we are signing the right sort of person.

"When he called me last week to say he wanted to meet again I thought he was just doing it to be polite because he's that sort of lad, so when I found out he wanted to sign I was delighted.

"I know he's had better offers but I think he's looked at it and felt, that for his own development, being surrounded by other players with the same motivation would give him the best platform to achieve what he wants.

"He knows some of the lads (he played at Ebbsfleet with Mike Thalassitis and Matt Johnson) and their characters, and he is genuinely excited to be part of the squad. They all want to better themselves and he is no different."

Osborn joined Dagenham from Grays Athletic in 2010 when he was still only 16. He also played on loan at Thurrock and Chelmsford before signing for Ebbsfleet, initially on a three-month loan, in August 2013.

The loan was then extended until the end of the season and he chalked up more than 40 appearances during 2013/14 as Fleet lost in the Skrill South play-off final to Dover.

He was released from Dagenham in the summer of 2014 and swiftly rejoined Ebbsfleet on a permanent basis though his appearances last season were restricted due to injury and he had loan spells with Hayes & Yeading, Concord Rangers, Maidstone and Whitehawk.

Bull believes that for the benefit of the player the time is now right for Osborn to have a permanent club.

He added: "He's had a lot of loan moves already in his career and with each one I think he's become a better player, but I also think that if he had been a permanent fixture at one club rather than being out on loan there would definitely be clubs at a higher level looking to sign him."