Hull City snap up Folkestone Invicta striker Johan Ter Horst

The highly-rated, 18-year-old, who has scored 21 goals for the Ryman League Division One South club this season, was at The KC Stadium on Humberside this morning, where he joined The Tigers on a three-year deal.

Invicta boss Neil Cugley told www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk: “I’m absolutely delighted for the lad and of course we wish him every success.

“But, the really good news for us is that, this being a Premiership club his new contract goes from May 12 and he will be around to help us clinch a place in the end of season play-offs – and possibly promotion!”

No fee has been officially disclosed for the former Harvey Grammar School pupil, who will be 19 next month, but whatever cash is involved is expected to involve add-ons such as appearance bonuses and a possible percentage of any future transfer fee.

Cugley said: “This is absolutely brilliant for our youth section. Johan has been with us since he was 12 and now he’s joined a Premiership club who are also FA Cup Semi-Finalists, of course.

“Steve Bruce (Hull manager) knows all about being away from home as a youngster from his time at Gillingham, and I’m sure his advice will be very helpful to Johan.

“He’ll get the chance to establish himself up there by playing in the Under 21 Development League and he’ll benefit, of course, from full-time training.

“He spent two weeks at Charlton recently and we all saw the benefit of that from the form he showed for us at the time.

“From our point of view, we’ve got to realise that had this not all come about we might well have lost him if he went to university next year.”

The teenager’s mum, Clare, told fellow supporters recently that her son has had several offers from good universities having put off taking on further education a year ago, a decision that enabled him to stay with Invicta for this, his first full season in senior football.

Cugley joked: “With Hull playing in the same colours as us, his mum and dad won’t even need to buy new scarves!!”

Visit Folkestone Invicta’s website: www.folkestoneinvictafc.co.uk