Maidstone complete signing of former Chelsea midfielder Tariq Uwakwe

Maidstone have signed English-Nigerian midfielder Tariq Uwakwe as a free agent, adding the 26-year-old left-sided player to their National League South squad.

Uwakwe joins the Kent club after more than a year without a club following his departure from Swindon Town in July 2025. The London-born midfielder becomes a Maidstone player on 4 September 2026 and will wear the number eight shirt.

Primarily a left midfielder, Uwakwe is left-footed and brings experience from across England’s professional divisions. He has made 44 League Two appearances during his career, scoring once and providing six assists. He has also played 23 times in League One, contributing one goal and three assists.

His most recent club was Swindon, whom he joined from Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer in August 2023. During the 2024-25 campaign, he spent time away from the club on loan, first joining Maidenhead United in September 2024 before moving to Aldershot in March 2025. Both loan spells ended later that season.

Uwakwe began his senior career with Chelsea Under-23s and had a loan spell at Accrington during the 2020-21 season. He made 32 Premier League 2 appearances for Chelsea Under-23s, scoring twice and registering two assists, while also featuring in the EFL Trophy and the FA Cup.

Before progressing into senior football, Uwakwe enjoyed a successful spell with Chelsea Under-18s. He helped the side win the FA Youth Cup twice, in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, and collected two English Youth League titles at under-18 level across the same period.

His record in youth competitions includes nine goals in 31 U18 Premier League appearances, alongside five assists. He also scored twice in 13 FA Youth Cup matches and once in five UEFA Youth League appearances.

Uwakwe’s arrival gives Maidstone an experienced option on the left side of midfield, with his career having included football in the Premier League 2, League One, League Two and the National League.

The move marks a return to club football for Uwakwe, who has now joined Maidstone following his period as a free agent.