Mat Mitchel-King has signed for Dartford on the verge of the new Skrill Premier season.

The 29-year-old has been looking for a new club this summer and he played for both the Darts and their local rivals Ebbsfleet in pre-season friendlies.

But he has chosen to put pen to paper at Princes Park and should go straight into the Dartford squad for the visit of Alfreton on Saturday.

Mitchel-King spent two years at Crewe Alexandra and then joined AFC Wimbledon in June 2011. He played 23 games for the Dons in League 2 last season but was released in May.

Dartford manager Tony Burman said: "I'm delighted to have signed Mat after discussions with him for the last month. As a player who has played League football, he will add invaluable experience to the squad."

Last week, Burman confirmed he was interested in signing the defender but revealed there were several clubs chasing him.

Ebbsfleet boss Steve Brown had previously praised Mitchel-King's attitude after he made a three-and-a-half hour journey to play 45 minutes for his side in a 1-1 draw at Dartford on July 23. Mitchel-King turned out for the Fleet as recently as Saturday, when he started against a Gillingham XI at Stonebridge Road.

Mitchel-King's arrival at Princes Park is timely, given that fellow defender Tyrone Sterling is struggling with an ankle injury. Sterling, who joined from Dover earlier in the summer, played for a Dartford XI at VCD Athletic on Tuesday but had to come off midway through the first half.

Meanwhile, the Darts have also signed 18-year-old goalkeeper Tom Wellham as back-up to Alan Julian.

And former Southend United midfielder Alex Woodyard also completed a move to Princes Park on what was a busy day for the north Kent club.