Hythe Town have made Stephen Butcher their first new signing of the summer.

The 20-year-old, who can play in defence and midfield, started his career at Gillingham but made just two senior appearances for the Gills and after a loan spell at Maidstone, he was released in May 2014.

Butcher subsequently joined the Stones on a permanent basis and played a few games at the start of last season before Jay Saunders sent him to Ramsgate on loan.

He is expected to be the first of several new players brought to Reachfields by Hythe manager Tim Dixon during this close-season.

Dixon said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have signed Stephen Butcher. I thought I had missed my chance this season with him as he was one of my targets but it turned out he hadn’t actually signed for anybody.

"Being a local lad, I have followed his career since he started at Gillingham and his father Brian is a good friend. Stephen is a really exciting and very good footballer and has been taught the game by the excellent coaches at Gillingham.

"His progression in the game hasn’t gone the way he would have liked but there is no reason why he can’t get back to the higher levels of the game with a lot of hard work and consistent performances.

"I believe he will do very well with us and be a very valuable member of the squad."