New signing Noah Chesmain promises to be the perfect fit for Maidstone.

The former Millwall left-back has signed a one-year deal at the Gallagher after leaving League 2 club Colchester.

He played a trial match towards the end of last season, with a view to making a loan move.

There wasn't time to get it done before deadline day but head of football John Still and head coach Hakan Hayrettin made it clear they'd be interested in a summer move.

The pair love hardworking players and their latest signing fits the bill.

Chesmain, 21, said: "They're good guys, they've got good plans for the club and that's something I want to be part of.

"They have high expectations and they want players that are willing to work hard.

"That's what I'm all about and obviously if I've got people pushing me, that's great for me, as I can become a better player and do well.

"I want to be playing games and trying to improve myself every day and enjoy my football.

"I had a few options but I wanted to go somewhere I felt I could improve myself and this felt like the right choice for me.

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"I've been blessed with the opportunity to play first-team football and it's a great learning curve.

"It's a big challenge when you're young but I feel like I'm at an age where I need to be playing men's football all the time."

Chesmain knows the non-league scene well after loan spells at Welling, Boreham Wood, Hitchin and Hungerford over the past few years.

He's excited by the challenge of helping Still and Hayrettin win promotion back to the National League.

He said: "That's the plan. They spoke to me about that.

"They want to get promoted - that's the main goal - and they're trying to build a team to do that.

"We're going to be a big team in National South so it's probably a different kind of feeling compared to last season."

Maidstone are likely to be the best-supported club in the division but big crowds don't faze Chesmain - not after making his Millwall debut in front of almost 8,500 fans at the Den.

They beat Bury 1-0 that day in November 2015 with Lions boss Neil Harris turning to his teenage substitute with just under 10 minutes left.

Chesmain said: "It was crazy. It was a big achievement for me.

"We were winning 1-0 but we were on the back foot.

"Just having a manager that had belief in me to come on in that situation was quite amazing.

"I was hoping to get more opportunities but we got promoted to the Championship that season and a lot of players came in.

"It was difficult to get into the team and quite demanding at that level.

"Going to Colchester, it felt like the right move at the time.

"Dropping down I felt I would get opportunities but there was still a lot of competition for places and they didn't see me in their plans."

* Maidstone have announced a home friendly against Dagenham on Tuesday, July 23 (7.45pm).

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