The summer exodus from Dover Athletic has continued apace this week with defender Tyrone Sterling the latest to decline new a contract in favour of a move away from Crabble.

Versatile Sterling, 29, moved to Whites from Dartford in January 2014 and made 99 appearances, 39 of them this season, as Dover finished agonisingly short of a return to the play-off places.

Sterling has instead opted to join Kent rivals Bromley and he told fans on instagram on Wednesday afternoon: "Sorry to say my campaign at Dover Athletic has come to an end.

"Some great memories made and some great people I have met. It's now time for a new beginning and I wish everyone at the club the very best and no doubt I will see you all this coming season."

Bromley Manager Neil Smith told the club website said: “I’m delighted to have signed Tyrone.

"He’s another local player and an experienced player at this level. He came close to promotion with Dover last season and I believe it says a lot about our ambition as a club that he wants to be a part of what we’re looking to achieve this season.”

Sterling added: “It’s great to have joined my local club. It’s a new beginning, I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running and having a great season.”

Last week club captain Jamie Grimes has turned down Dover’s offer of a new deal, deciding to sign for League 2 Cheltenham Town when his Whites contract expires on July 1.

The central defender spent two seasons with Dover, helping them reach the National League play-offs in 2015-16 before a sixth-placed finish this season.

He told fans on twitter: “Thank you to the fans, players and staff at Dover. It was an honour to captain this club. A new challenge awaits me, all the best.”

Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson said: “I’m pleased to have secured Jamie’s services after several attempts to sign him last season, which didn’t happen due to a transfer fee needing to be paid and Dover taking up an option on his contract.

“He comes well recommended from players at our club.”

Two more Dover defenders have also opted not to sign new deals offered by the club in favour of signing for other teams in the National League.

Left-back Aswad Thomas, 27, has followed forwards Ross Lafayette and Moses Emmanuel to Sutton Athletic, while former Farnborough, Canvey and Staines centre-back Richard Orlu, 28, has moved to Woking after four years at Crabble.

Orlu told the Cards website: “The style and the set-up of Woking at the moment, the ambition of the club, it really suited what I wanted and the changes I wanted to make to improve.”

Woking manager Anthony Limbrick said: “Richard is experienced at this level and most of all, he is a winner.”

Despite Sutton having made more than £1m from their FA Cup exploits this season, manager Paul Doswell claims his trio of signings from Dover did not leave Crabble for the
money.

He told the club website: “All the players that have signed from Dover are on the same terms as they had last season and with no transfer fees paid, I feel we have secured excellent value for money.”

Thomas had a spell on loan with Dover from Woking in 2015-16 before joining permanently last August.

Malta international Sam Magri has yet to confirm whether he will take up Dover’s contract offer, although he is understood to have turned down a lucrative offer from Ryman League
big-spenders Billericay.

Bondz N’Gala has also been offered a new deal while the only senior players under contract for next season are keeper Mitch Walker, midfielder Mitch Pinnock and new arrival from Southport, striker Jamie Allen.