Maidstone have signed former Football League centre-half Magnus Okuonghae.

The 31-year-old has spent most of his career in the professional game, playing almost 200 times for Colchester United and captaining the Essex club.

Okuonghae, who moves to the Gallagher after leaving Dagenham, has also played for the likes of Luton Town and Hartlepool.

Stones boss Jay Saunders said: “He’s been in training for a little while with us and it’s something we’ve been looking at doing and we’ve finally come to an agreement.

“I’m pleased to have him on board. He brings a lot of experience and I think we need that with the run-in we’ve got. He’ll be a big help to us.”

Okounghae, who won an England C cap during his early non-league days, was in the crowd for United’s 4-2 win over Chester on Saturday.

He’s used to helping teams out of trouble and, like new team-mate Kevin Lokko, is surprised to see Maidstone in the National League bottom four.

He said: “I’d not been to Maidstone before but the set-up’s brilliant and then coming to watch on Saturday was even more of an eye-opener.

“I’m surprised to say the least to see the boys in the position they are, considering the performance they put in on the weekend.

“Hopefully I bring a bit of experience and calmness.

“I’ve been in this situation many times before in terms of fighting against relegation and managed to stay up, so hopefully all the experience of that I can pass on to some of the lads.”

In other news, winger Vas Karagiannis has joined Welling on loan for a month.

It’s his third loan move of the season after spells at Margate and Dulwich.