New Folkestone summer signing Kevin Lokko’s desire to add more silverware to his collection helped convince boss Jay Saunders to work with him again.

Lokko became Saunders’ first addition at Isthmian Premier Invicta last week, joining from Maidenhead.

The former Dover captain was at Norwich and Colchester early in his career, and earned a Football League move to Stevenage in 2017 after a season at Maidstone under Saunders.

Lokko also counts Welling, Dagenham & Redbridge, Aldershot, Farnborough and Harrogate among his former clubs - winning the FA Trophy with the latter in 2021 - but hasn’t won silverware in his senior career apart from that.

Saunders said: “He had a few part-time offers at National League South.

"I think he wanted to go somewhere and play under someone he knows.

“It’s a project and he wants to be part of it.

“When we spoke, there were so many questions about football and he said ‘Can I come down to the club?’. With a lot of players, the first thing they want to talk about is money and, as a manager, that kind of puts you off, especially because there’s loads of rumours about how much was spent last year.

“But he said that he wants to win things. So far, he’s only won the Trophy with Harrogate.

“That side of things, it aligns with what me, the management team and the owners want to do. Hopefully, he can be a part of that.

“If we’re pulling in the same direction, then we have got a chance.”

Saunders had always maintained contact with the left-footed centre-half since their time together at the Gallagher Stadium, coming up against one another in recent years.

“To be honest, he got in touch with me,” he revealed. “I’ve always kept in touch with him, as well, and he’s played against us at Tonbridge when he was at Farnborough.

“Because of his work circumstances, he wants to go back to being part-time. He’s only 29 and I think it just worked for both parties.

“He has worked with me before at Maidstone and got a move to the Football League. There were other clubs ringing him, but he said he wanted to enjoy his football and to be part of a project.

“We met and it was quite a simple conversation.”

Saunders and his management team of No.2 Lloyd Blackman and coach Tom Parkinson took over at Cheriton Road from Tonbridge for their season run-in and had highlighted the defence as an area he was keen to improve.

“If good players are available, then you’ve got to look at it,” said Saunders. “There’s a lot of players floating about at the minute.

“Looking at last year, defensively, we weren’t good enough. That’s why we let a lot of them go.

“We want to build from the back. There’s the old saying ‘Goals win games, but clean sheets win leagues.’.

“That’s why, defensively, we have got to make sure we’re right.”

Saunders also discussed Folkestone’s pre-season programme, which will see them hit the road for all their warm-up games due to their 3G pitch being installed at their ground.

Invicta will kick-off preparations for the 2025/26 season with a visit to neighbours Hythe, who are now managed by 28-year-old former forward Ira Jackson Jr, on Saturday, July 5. That’s followed by matches against Isthmian South East sides Sheppey (July 8), Faversham (July 12) and Ashford (July 15).

They then have an early kick-off at Bradford (Park Avenue) in Yorkshire on Saturday, July 19, and conclude their pre-season with matches against higher-division Tonbridge (July 26), Dover (July 29) and Hornchurch (August 2).

“It’s always hard when you have got to do every game away from home where the pitch is being sorted,” admitted Saunders. “We’ve had a lot of offers.

“We’re going to finish with three National League South sides. We’ve got a little team bonding session at Bradford Park Avenue in there, as well, and there’s some local ones in there. I’m not a massive fan of pre-season.

“But this year where we have got so many new players, it’s going to be important.”

Folkestone confirmed midfielder Amadou Kassarate has left this week.

The midfielder joined last August and scored eight goals in 41 appearances, and was voted players’ player-of-the-year by his team-mates.

He was offered fresh club terms but, instead, has taken up an offer elsewhere.

“My time with Folkestone Invicta FC has come to an end,” Kassarate said.

“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the fans, staff and management team for all the support and memories. It’s been a privilege to be part of the club.

“Wishing everyone at Invicta nothing but success for the future!”

Last season’s top scorer, Dan Smith, has also turned down the chance to stay.

Invicta say one-time Portsmouth striker Smith, 25, who scored 19 times in their 2024/25 campaign, won't be staying put due to work commitments.