Matt Young is looking forward to starting the next chapter of his footballing career a lot closer to home now the young defender has joined Dover Athletic.

The Essex-born 21-year-old, who signed for Whites on Friday, arrives at Crabble after spending time at Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle United.

"I feel as though I've been the full length and width of the country," joked Young.

"Now I am living back home (Upminster) for the first time in almost six years and everything feels great.

"It's an exciting time for me to have a fresh start and have the opportunity to do it so close to family and friends - I am buzzing, I really am."

But it's not only the chance to play for a club close to home that excites Young, a right-back, who says he is comfortable in any position in the back four.

He said: "The club has a real professional feel and environment about it. I felt that from the moment I arrived to play in the pre-season friendly at Bishop's Stortford last month.

"There is also so much quality and talent throughout the squad and hopefully I can add to that.

"They (Dover) had a fantastic first season in the league and all the lads are hungry to build on that. The desire and intensity at training has been superb in the short time I've been here - now we've got to carry that into the games.

"I've got no doubt that Dover are a club on the way up and I am delighted to have the opportunity to be here."

Young, who played in the same Southampton youth side as Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse and Calum Chambers, players he still stays in touch with, will travel with his new team-mates for the season-opener at Barrow on Saturday.

Whether he gets to play in it remains to be seen - he knows competition for places in boss Chris Kinnear's line-up is extremely competitive.

He said: "All I can do is put my head down and work hard in training and hopefully the gaffa will give me a go.

"I just want to play football - I am a chomping at the bit to pull on a Dover shirt."

Check out kentonline.co.uk for our full-time match report from Barrow v Dover on Saturday