Fleet’s title-winning captain Chris Solly will embark on his fourth season as an Ebbsfleet United player following a new contract with the club this summer.

The experienced 32-year-old, who won the players’ player of the year award in 2021/22, excelled in last season’s Vanarama National League South title triumph, becoming the man to lift the trophy that brought the Fleet promotion back to the top flight.

Solly joined the Fleet in 2020 after departing Charlton Athletic’s Championship campaign earlier that year. The former England youth international had spent 12 seasons at The Valley as a senior player, earning two promotions and two player of the year awards in his time across more than 300 EFL appearances.

Since joining the Fleet, Solly has switched from his previous full-back position to take up a regular berth in the heart of defence and all being well, will pass the 100-appearance mark for the club early next season. He featured 38 times in all competitions last season, scoring a memorable equaliser at Eastbourne in a 3-2 against-the-odds victory in Sussex.

In addition to his playing role, Solly has also embarked on a coaching role alongside Dennis Kutrieb and Chris Franks in the Fleet setup and is one of the most senior players at the Kuflink Stadium, something that will be key as the new National League season begins in August.