Folkestone Invicta are delighted to announce the signing of Gavin Hoyte.
The former Maidstone United captain makes the move down the M20 having departed the Gallagher Stadium at the end of last season after 5 years at the club.
Having began his career at Arsenal, Gavin signed his first professional contract at the club in 2017 at the age of 17. He made his debut for the club in a 6-0 League Cup win over Sheffield United a year later and would go on to make 4 appearances for the club, including making his Premier League debut away to Manchester City in November 2008 before joining Championship club Watford for the second half of the season.
Gavin spent time on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon before departing The Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2012, joining League 2 side Dagenham & Redbridge where he made 68 appearances in two seasons.
League 1 club Gillingham brought Gavin to Kent for the first time in the summer of 2014. He made 35 appearances for the club before joining Barnet where a knee injury hampered his 2-year spell.
In December of 2016, following recovery from his injury, Gavin joined National League side Eastleigh for an 18-month spell before returning to Dagenham & Redbridge for the 2018/19 season.
A return to Kent came in the summer of 2019 as he signed for Maidstone United in the National League South. After two COVID-19 affected seasons, Gavin lead The Stones as captain for much of their National South winning 21/22 season before taking the armband permanently during the summer of 2022 with the club in the National League.
Gavin made 24 appearances for Maidstone last season, including leading them on their historic run to the 5th Round of the FA Cup, making his final appearance for the club as a substitute in their defeat to Coventry City.
Manager Andy Drury spoke this afternoon about his latest signing: “I’m really pleased to get someone of Gavin’s experience and leadership to join us. Last season he was captain of Maidstone who had a great FA Cup run and nearly earned promotion from the National League South so it shows the ambition we have this season as a club. He will be a very important player for us with his defending and qualities with the ball alongside his versatility.”
Welcome to Cheriton Road, Gavin.
