Photo credit: Hampton & Richmond Borough FC
The club is delighted to announce the signing of 25-year-old Kai Innocent from divisional rivals Hampton & Richmond Borough. A product of the Queens Park Rangers youth system, Kai remained with the Rs until the age of 21, when he moved to Eastbourne Borough. With subsequent spells at Havant & Waterlooville, Hemel Hempstead, Eastbourne again and Hampton, he has plenty of pedigree at National League South level.
His time at Eastbourne was marked by over a century of appearances, as well as by winning both the Players’ Player and Manager’s Player of the Year in the Sports’ near-miss in the 2024-25 campaign.
Kai has already had experience of the Hornets this season, having been a member of the Hampton side that played impressively at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium back in November.
Manager Dom Di Paola was pleased to have completed the deal, having previously tried to secure Kai’s services ahead of this season.
“He’s a really good player, a good technician with a nice left foot. He can play all up the left-hand side of the pitch, which I think has been a bit of a challenge for us this season. He’s another left-footed player and I don’t think we’ve got enough left-footed footballers in the squad. It might free Meeky [Reece Meekums] up to play somewhere different, too.
“I’m looking forward to him coming in. It means we might be able to change shape because he can play as a wing-back, which might give us a bit of variation. He’s a good age and he’s an established National South footballer, so hopefully he can help us improve. Plus, he’s another body, which is a big help with the way this season’s gone.”
Kai will wear the number 16 shirt and go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s FA Trophy tie at Scunthorpe.
