Jack Parkinson has rejected a move to League 2 Leyton Orient - to sign for Dover Athletic.

Parkinson was expected to complete a switch to Orient but has instead left Maidstone for National League Dover.

Whites asked for permission to speak to Parkinson on Thursday morning and a deal was struck hours later.

There's no transfer fee involved, with United agreeing to cancel the final year of the defender's contract.

Stones boss Jay Saunders is relieved Parkinson's future has been resolved and understands why he turned down a shot at the Football League.

Saunders said: "I'm glad it's done and dusted.

"It's never nice to lose a player but with interest from Cambridge, then Leyton Orient and a little bit of interest from Bromley as well, it's dragged on.

"Every non-league player dreams of playing league football but everyone has bills to pay and if you're going into a full-time job, with no chance to do other bits on the side, then the offer has to be right financially.

"I'm taking it that's the reason he's turned down Orient. At the end of the day, Jack's got to do what's best for him."

Dover were interested in signing Parkinson last summer - and this time Whites have got their man.

Saunders said: "Jake Leberl (Dover No.2) rung me and asked if they could speak to Jack.

"They train at Kings Hill three nights a week, which allows him to get other work if he needs to, and it's still a higher level, so it ticked the boxes.

"It's happened quite quickly with Dover but something needed to be done sooner rather than later because we wanted to know where we were and Jack wanted to be able to play at the start of the season.

"He's been good for us. He scored 12 goals as a holding midfielder last season and did everything we ever asked of him.

"With the academy as well, he's been a big part of the club over the last couple of years."