Dover have completed their first summer signing.

Defender Peter Ojemen joins the National League South outfit having spent the 2022/23 season with Isthmian Premier Margate.

Ojemen, who will wear the number four shirt, told the club website: “[I am] delighted to get this deal done and look forward to showing people what I can do this season.”

Manager Mitch Brundle said: “He’s had a fantastic few years.

“He’s young and has played over 150 [first-team] games already, so he’s got great pedigree. It’s time for him to step up to a stronger league.

“I think he can do it. I watched him in the Kent [Senior] Cup Final and he’s someone who’s got a lot of pace. He’s left-footed, has got great balance and I’m actually delighted.

“There’s a few more in the pipeline. Some of them are already on holiday and stuff, but I’m delighted to get this one over the line.

“I’ve been chasing him for a while. He had a lot of clubs [interested in him] and I’m glad he’s chosen to come to us.

“We’re looking forward to working with him.

“He’s got a great attitude and a lot of people have spoken really highly in regards to what he’s like as a person and his character.

“I think he’s someone the fans will really enjoy watch playing for us.

“We need players who have got that hunger and that ambition to make the club go back to where it wants to be.”

The 22-year-old left Hartsdown Park this summer alongside goalkeeper Daniel Jinadu and Emmanuel Oke to seek higher-division moves.

“I had the same three conversations with them,” explained Gate boss Reece Prestedge, speaking at the time.

“I said ‘I’ve got no issues with you wanting to play higher - you’re all young enough and deserve to have a go at it’.

“We aren’t going to stand in anyone’s way and we aren’t going to be bitter about it.

“If they don’t find anywhere and there’s a conversation to be had, we’ll still have it.”

But midfielder Jordan Higgs (Tonbridge), left-sided player Alfie Paxman (Ramsgate), experienced defender Tyrone Sterling (Margate) and young striker Josh Ajayi (Erith & Belvedere) have left Crabble already amid the close-season.

The only other players committed to Brundle’s first-team squad so far for Dover’s 2023/24 season are Academy graduates Luke Baptiste, George Wilkinson, George Nikaj and Freddie Oliver.

Ojemen, who can play either at centre-half or left-back, counts Corinthian-Casuals, Barking, Fisher and Welling Town among his other old clubs and is the younger brother of fellow semi-professional player Briggs Ojemen.