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Jack Parkinson picked Dover ahead of Leyton Orient for both football and financial reasons.
Parkinson is in line to make his Whites debut in their National League opener at Barrow on Saturday after leaving Maidstone United.
He was offered a deal by League 2 Orient but decided on a year-contract with Chris Kinnear's Whites.
Parkinson, 26, said: "I just thought at my age and at this time of my career, it was important to be playing.
"I thought I did well in the games I played for Orient but it's close to the start of the season and they've got a strong squad and when Chris phoned, I thought Dover was the right move for me.
"I'd still love to play in the league but at the same it's important to be playing and when a club like Dover call, after the finish they had to last year, it felt like a good move.
"They finished eighth in the Conference, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy and the third round of the FA Cup. It will be tough but the aim is to beat that this season."
Parkinson felt he was good enough to play for Orient but has no regrets over turning his back on the Football League.
He said: "You have to back your ability and in the games I played I felt more than comfortable.
"If the deal had been right I feel I'd have been a good addition but on the other side of things, it was going to be my full-time job and it didn't feel right.
"All of what Dover were offering made it the perfect move all-round."
Parkinson will fly to Barrow with the rest of the Whites squad and can't wait to get started under Kinnear, one of the most successful managers in non-league football.
He said: "I know a lot of people who've played for Chris and they've all spoke highly of him.
"He's had a lot of success and from speaking to him on the phone, everything he said met my ambitions.
"There was no falling-out with Maidstone. It was time for a change but it's a great family club and I'll miss it."