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Maidstone United manager Hakan Hayrettin on Joan Luque's move to Weymouth

Hakan Hayrettin is delighted to see Joan Luque hit the ground running at National League Weymouth.

The Terras have won both games since Luque joined from Maidstone, with Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Hartlepool followed by a 2-0 success at Aldershot last night.

Joan Luque left Maidstone for Weymouth Picture: Keith Gillard
Joan Luque left Maidstone for Weymouth Picture: Keith Gillard

The Spanish winger scored five goals and set up three more in his short time at the Gallagher, where he rediscovered his love of football after leaving Dagenham.

He’s a player Hayrettin would like to have kept but when the Terras made a seven-day approach, there was little he could do.

The Stones boss takes satisfaction from seeing Luque step back up a level, with his transfer breathing new life into the Terras’ survival bid.

“We couldn’t stop him going, and I’m happy for him,” said Hayrettin.

“We couldn’t match certain things they came up with but the door is always open for him here.

“He’s a good player who did well for us and he scored some good goals.

“If he’d carried on in that vein, he’d have got 15 goals for us.

“I wish him all the best and I’ll keep in touch with him because he’s a great lad with a great sense of humour.

“I had a lot of laughs with him and it was nice to see him coming in with a smile on his face.

“We revitalised him, we gave a kiss of life to his career."

Hayrettin had spoken about strengthening his squad before National League South was suspended - provisionally for two weeks - last Friday.

But with the action on hold, there will be no immediate replacement for Luque.

“We don’t know about a replacement because we don’t know the status of the league and whether we’re going to continue," said Hayrettin.

“At the present moment I can’t look at it, no manager can until the league decide if we’re going to continue.”

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent

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