Departing Dover midfielder Ryan Hanson says it was a real honour to captain his hometown club as he leaves Crabble.

The 21-year-old has joined National League side Torquay for an undisclosed fee, subject to FA approval, having captained Whites last season after defender Sam Wood left.

“I wanted to take the time to send a message of thanks to all at the club and all of the Dover Athletic fans for their support of me and the team throughout last season,” said Hanson, who joined Whites permanently last summer after a previous loan spell, in a message on the club's website.

“It has been a privilege, playing for my hometown club and one that I grew up supporting from the River End.

“To go on and be given the honour of captaining the team at such a young age was an amazing experience and one that I am very proud of.

“I would like to thank the Gaffer [Andy Hessenthaler] for giving me the opportunity and helping me to develop over the last year, and I would also especially like to thank kit manager Richard Harvey for looking after me so well both on and off the pitch.

“While the opportunity of playing for a club like Torquay is one that I am excited about, I will always remember my time at Dover and the buzz I got from the fans singing my name and clapping us off at the end of each game - even though results didn’t go our way.

“Dover Athletic and its fans are special and I will always look at Dover’s results, hoping that better times will soon be back to Crabble.

“Thanks for everything and [I] look forward to seeing you in and around Dover when I am back.”

Earlier this year, he underwent emergency surgery for a "non-football condition" but he returned to action as Whites lost 3-2 at Chesterfield, Hanson coming off the bench.

Former Hull man Hanson was born in Dover and attended Dover Grammar School for Boys.