Jack Connors believes Dover will hit the ground running at the start of the National League season despite there being a new look to Whites’ defence.

Connors signed a contract with Dover on Saturday after a successful trial with the club following his release by Ebbsfleet in May.

The 23-year-old is one of four new defenders to sign for Chris Kinnear’s side during the summer as Dover get ready for their first league game, at home against Wrexham on Saturday.

Connors said: “I’m happy to get it done. It’s been a summer where I’ve been trying to sort things out and it has taken a bit longer than I hoped.

“I was training at Ebbsfleet for the first two or three weeks of pre-season, so I’ve had a full preseason. I did have a few options but I didn’t want to move away from home. Dover are a good club and always competitive.”

Connors made 77 appearances for Ebbsfleet in all competitions over two seasons.

The defender began his playing career with Dagenham & Redbridge making 49 appearances in League 2 and has also represented Republic of Ireland at under-21 level.

He made three appearances in preseason friendlies for Dover, including Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Woking, when striker Inih Effiong netted for the club.

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Connors said: “It happened quite quickly and the manager gave me a call on the Friday before the Gillingham game and said he would like me to come in and play the game.

“I’ve been in and around the club since then and have managed to get everything sorted quickly.”

Connors is Kinnear’s fourth new defender of the summer following the departure of Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Manny Parry and Femi Ilesanmi.

Swiss defender Tim Schmoll signed last week while Kevin Lokko and Moussa Diarra joined earlier in pre-season.

Connors does not believe the new-look defence will be a problem early on for Dover.

He added: “With the games we’ve played we’ve built up an understanding. The longer we play together the more that understanding will grow. I still feel we will start the season well even though we don’t know each other that well."