Ebbsfleet United have signed defender Dean Pooley as the 28-year-old returns for a second spell at Stonebridge Road.

Having been part of the Bromley side that led the league for so long last season – and played against the Fleet in the play-off semi-finals – manager Steve Brown had no hesitation in adding the versatile defender when he became available, telling Fleet Online: “Dean is a very experienced player who will make an excellent addition to our squad, and increase the competition for places”.

Pooley has also played for Margate in recent years, and this season turned out for Cray and Maidstone while deciding on his options. He first signed for the Fleet in 2008 and played in the Conference Premier, before helping the club to win promotion via the Conference South play-offs in 2010. In his first spell, he played almost 80 times for the Fleet.