Ebbsfleet United are back in the transfer market with a bang as Jack Payne’s signing from Blackpool, to start from 1st July, was finalised to the delight of Fleet boss Daryl McMahon.

Payne, 25, is a Gravesend-born midfielder who last season figured 44 times for Blackpool and played for the victorious Tangerines in their final at Wembley v Exeter City. Blackpool had an option on another year but the player has decided to return south to continue his football in 2017/18.

Capable of operating in a number of roles in a largely central midfield berth, he began his career at Gillingham where he played more than 100 games in a five-year spell and earned the club’s young player of the year award in his first season.

He had three years at Peterborough United from 2013 following a £750,000 switch from the Gills, playing with Posh in the Championship and figuring in the League One play-offs in 2013/14, plus enjoying a later spell on loan with Leyton Orient. He becomes McMahon’s second new signing of the summer following the acquisition of striker Danny Mills from Whitehawk.