Josh Payne will make the Kuflink Stadium his permanent home beginning on 1st August as he becomes the sixth signing to be revealed ahead of the 2020/21 season.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who departed parent club Crawley Town earlier this summer, has already endeared himself to Fleet fans across a six-month loan spell last season, during which time he contributed 26 appearances and two very memorable strikes worthy of goal-of-the-season accolades.
Payne made his debut in the televised game at Harrogate Town last October and was a regular anchor in Fleet’s midfield through to the final match – another televised clash – at FC Halifax Town as the team climbed out of the relegation zone.
Having started last season with Crawley Town, his third with the Sussex club, Payne’s career has also taken in clubs in every division of the top five tiers of English football. He featured twice in the Premier League for West Ham in 2008/09 and played for Cheltenham, Colchester and Wycombe in League One.
A short spell with Doncaster Rovers, then in the Championship, was followed by several seasons with Oxford United and Aldershot Town in League Two and finally Woking and Eastleigh in the National League.
