Maidstone United in pole position for Zihni Temelci deal after Dagenham & Redbridge move falls through
06:00, 26 October 2020
updated: 06:19, 26 October 2020
Zihni Temelci was back in a Maidstone shirt at the weekend but still doesn’t know if there will be a deal for him.
He’d love to stay - and manager Hakan Hayrettin is equally keen to keep him - but finances will ultimately dictate.
Temelci returned to Cyprus after the Covid-19 outbreak cut short last season but Hayrettin stayed in touch with the midfielder.
With United unable to offer a deal in the summer he held talks with National League Dagenham but an ankle injury saw the move collapse.
That left Maidstone in pole position - with the club also finding him accommodation in the town.
He’s been training with the Stones, and came on during the second half of their 1-0 defeat at Chelmsford on Saturday.
But whether there’s anything long-term for him at the Gallagher remains to be seen.
“I’m happy to be back again because I love this club,” said Temelci, 21.
“I had five weeks out injured and last week I started to train and played in a friendly, and Hak said he wanted me in the squad for Chelmsford.
“It felt good but I need to be fitter to be in the starting XI.
“Before the injury I had some interest but I’m not sure what will happen now.
“When you are fit everyone wants you but not when you are injured.
“I’m fit now, so we will see what happens.
“I want to stay with Maidstone but, with financial things, we’ll have to see. Hopefully it will all be good for me and I will stay here.
“The club stayed in contact with me when I was back in Cyprus.
“They said we’ve signed some players so we’re not sure if we can give you a contract but I wanted to come back to England.
“Dagenham held talks with me but I had the ankle injury and that’s why I couldn’t go there.
“So, now I’m here and I’m happy to be back in England.
“The football is much better than other countries, much quicker as well.
“Hopefully I can stay here and put in the performances to be in the upper league next season.
“I like living in Maidstone, I’m enjoying it here and I’m happy to be back again.”
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