A striker has become the latest player to join Maidstone as they prepare to return to National League South this season.

Levi Amantchi, 22, follows midfielder Devonte Aransibia, winger Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, fellow forward Lemar Reynolds and left-back Chi Ezennolim in agreeing to link up with boss George Elokobi this summer.

“I’m excited, I’m ready to go,” Amantchi told Stones’ website. “I’m ready to meet the fans.

“Obviously, I spoke with the manager of what his desires are for the club and his ambitions, and I’m all ready for it.”

He joined Braintree last summer, where he netted six times in 14 National League South appearances.

On his time with the Essex outfit, Amantchi said: “It was important, obviously, because it was my first season in [National League] South. I was learning my trade - how the game was played.

“I found the level all right and I scored a few goals before I moved north.

“So I’m ready to go back again and do what I can do.”

From there, Amantchi moved across to Brackley in National League North last November, adding another six goals to his tally.

“I would probably say it’s more physical in North,” he said when quizzed on the differences between the divisions. “The tempo’s a bit faster.

“I feel like, the South, you’ve got to be cleverer, compared to in the North where it’s, basically, who’s the fittest in that league.

“But it’s more or less the same in both leagues, to be fair. You’ve just got to be on your game on the day.”

He had signed for Chesterfield as a 17-year-old and made 11 National League and three FA Cup appearances for the Spireites in the 2018/19 season.

“Obviously it was my first professional contract,” noted Amantchi, who had a loan stint with Blyth Spartans while at Chesterfield and also has played for Workington Reds when he worked alongside former Carlisle captain Danny Grainger.

“Obviously, I was young and raw when I was there [at Chesterfield], but I learnt how to get better and stuff. It helped me a lot.”

It’s eight days until Stones’ first pre-season friendly - when they will host Isthmian South East Sheppey at the Gallagher Stadium.

“I would say I’m unpredictable,” said Amantchi. “I like running behind, I like to showboat sometimes, with a few skills!

“But most importantly, I like scoring goals.”

He played with new Stones strike partner Reynolds at Braintree last term.