Maidstone United striker Matt McClure is leaving the club to join Gloucester City.

McClure made a farewell appearance as a second-half substitute in the Stones’ 1-1 draw with Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday night.

His contract at the Gallagher runs out on Thursday, after which he will be announced as a Gloucester player.

City, 19th in National League North, are managed by McClure’s former Aldershot team-mate James Rowe and have made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

McClure scored 10 goals after joining the Stones on a short-term deal in the early weeks of the season, including a hat-trick against this Saturday’s opponents, St Albans.

Head of football John Still said: “Matt’s gone. He’s had an offer from Gloucester, it’s an offer we couldn’t get close to.

“He’s been brilliant for us, absolutely brilliant.

“He’s a good player, he’s a good goalscorer, he’s a good lad, he’s a good part of the team, but you can only pay what you can pay, can’t you?”

• Maidstone 1-1 Hemel Hempstead

McClure is the fourth player to leave Maidstone in a matter of weeks, following Nana Kyei, Luke Pennell and Jonny Edwards.

Still says he’s over budget but is hoping to bring in reinforcements.

He said: “We are over budget with the greatest respect, a little bit of that is down to injuries.

“That’s helped get us a bit back more in line and we are now speaking to the club.

“I’d like to think by Thursday, Friday, we can do something.”

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent