Boss Jake Leberl has thanked anonymous Dover sponsors who have helped them keep hold of influential forward Ruben Soares-Junior for the 2025/26 season.

Soares-Junior, 25, played a key role in helping Whites earn an immediate National League South return, scoring 24 goals in their 2024/25 campaign, including a penalty in last month’s 2-0 play-off final victory at Dartford.

He received manager’s player-of-the-season and players’ player-of-the-season, as well as being named in Isthmian Premier’s team-of-the-season alongside 25-goal top scorer George Nikaj.

Manager Leberl said: “I thought Ruben was outstanding.

“Not just on the pitch, everything about Ruben was outstanding. You can get a little carried away with people but I always felt he really would make a difference.

“I would like to go on record, thanking the chairman, Jim Parmenter, and a couple of local sponsors, who stepped up to help make this happen.

“They reached out, asking ‘What can we do to keep Ruben?’. It shows everyone is buying into it.

“The feel-good factor is on the way back - if not already back!”

Following Dover’s play-off win at Dartford, Soares-Junior had initially appeared open to a summer switch.

He said: “My plan is always to go higher in football because I feel like I’m still young.

“I feel like I’ve done well but Dover is a place where I’m loved. The fans love me and I’ve got great management, as well.

“The management here, they actually understand me more than as a player - they understand me as a human being.

“Right now, my future is open, but Dover is definitely one of the options.”

But Soares-Junior - also formerly of Tonbridge, Folkestone, Billericay and Scotland’s Queen of the South - has now committed to remain.

Whites start pre-season at Isthmian South East newcomers Faversham on Saturday, July 5.