Manager Nikki Bull believes Margate is the perfect platform for his latest signing Michael Thalassitis to properly re-kindle his career.

The former Stevenage striker is finding his way back in the game after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Ebbsfleet United against Dover in in the 2013/14 Skrill South play-off final.

He finished last season with a profitable spell at Gate's Vanarama National League South rivals St Albans, and Blues boss Bull believes the player's desire to climb back up the football pyramid will help him thrive at Hartsdown Park.

Bull said: "Michael is another young, hungry player who fits the profile we are looking for.

"He's a big, old fashioned centre-forward and he did exceptionally well at St Albans towards the end of the season when he scored six or seven goals in a dozen games to help keep them up.

"He feels he's been a bit hard done by so far in his career, in terms of his injury and he wants the chance to prove he can get back to where he was.

"When young players get injuries like his, they can go one of two ways. They either let it define them, drift out of the game and go around telling people it was the injury which cost them their career, or they can work hard to get back which is what Michael has done.

"He's 6ft 1-6ft 2, and is a well-built lad who looks after himself in the gym. I'm delighted to have signed him and I'm sure he sees this as an opportunity to put himself back on the map."

London-born Thalassitis was on a season-long loan from Football League side Stevenage when he suffered knee ligament damage playing for Ebbsfleet in the dying moments of their 1-0 play-off final defeat to Dover in May 2014.

During his time at Stonebridge Road the former Cyprus under-19 and under-21 international made 43 appearances including 20 from the bench, scoring 11 goals. He also had loan spells at Boreham Wood, Hayes and Yeading and Cambridge United.

The injury kept him out of the game until the following year but he started the 2015/16 campaign at Bishop’s Stortford before spells at Chelmsford City, Concord Rangers and St St Albans.

He is the third striker to sign for the Gate following the recent captures of Mike Fondop-Talom, and Elliott Buchanan, who topped the Vanarama National League South scoring charts for Bishop's Stortford last season.

Margate have added a friendly with AFC Wimbledon to their pre-season programme.

The Dons - due to meet Plymouth Argyle in the League 2 play-off final at Wembley on Monday - will visit Hartsdown Park on Saturday, July 16 (kick-off 3pm.).

The fixture replaces the previously arranged friendly with Leatherhead which has now been moved to Saturday, July 23. Prices for the Wimbledon game are £10 adults, £5 concessions and £3 for under-18s. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, May 31.

Meanwhile Gate's scheduled friendly away to Hayes and Yeading on Tuesday, July 12, has been cancelled because electrical works are due to take place at the club's new ground that day.

Bull's side will now host Ryman League Division 1 South side Hythe Town at Hartsdown (7.45pm). Admission for the game is £5 adults, £3 concessions and £1 for under-18s.