Ross Lafayette signs for Sutton United
13:00, 13 May 2017
updated: 13:33, 13 May 2017
Ross Lafayette is the latest big-name Dover star on his way out of Crabble.
As expected Ricky Miller's 40 National League goals earned him a move to League 1 Peterborough last week - with Posh already reported to have snubbed a £250,000 advance for the 28-year-old.
On Friday night it was revealed former Welling, Luton and Eastleigh forward Lafayette has joined FA Cup heroes Sutton United, despite being offered a new deal at Dover by boss Chris Kinnear.
The 31-year-old scored 12 goals in a target-man role for Whites last season and added nearly 20 assists.
Lafayette told the Sutton website: "Once I knew (manager Paul Doswell) was interested in me coming to Sutton it was a very easy decision to make.
"The last two seasons have been brilliant for the club and listening to the gaffer’s plans for the future and his enthusiasm for the project really made my mind up.
"He has a very clear role for me to play in the team, and with the quality of the squad already in place I’m really looking forward to joining up for the new season.”
Dover midfielder James Hurst, 25, has signed for Wrexham after not being offered a new deal at Crabble.
Whites have offered terms to Sam Magri, Ricky Modeste, Richard Orlu, Tyrone Sterling, Jamie Grimes, Aswad Thomas and Bondz N'Gala and are waiting on a response while keeper Mitch Walker has already agreed his new deal, with Steve Arnold joining the likes of Moses Emmanuel and Joe Healy on the way out.
Walker, 25, played just 16 times in the National League last season as well as in the two FA Cup matches against Cambridge United.
The former England C man signed for Whites from Brighton & Hove Albion in May 2012 and assistant boss Jake Leberl told the Dover website: “Mitch has been a pleasure to work with since he arrived.
“His professionalism, work-rate and attitude has always been first class and to top it off, he’s a top goalkeeper who is improving year on year.
“We are all delighted he’s agreed to stay.”
Walker said: “I have enjoyed all my previous seasons at Dover although last year was frustrating for me on a personal note as I did not play as much as of course I wanted.
“I want to play regularly in this league, and I had offers to go do so elsewhere, but after speaking to the management here, I will get that opportunity at Dover next season – my aim is to play every game.
“The club is heading in the right direction and the ambition here has not changed since the day I arrived.
“It’s something I want to be part of and I am looking forward to pushing on from where we finished last season.”
Former Maidstone man Mitch Pinnock will stay at Crabble after Dover opted to exercise a clause in his deal while prospects Chris Barnard and George Essuman were already under contract.
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