Dover Athletic manager Jake Leberl on exit of academy product striker George Nikaj and signings of defender Nazir Bakrin and Euan Williams

Manager Jake Leberl feels departing Dover striker George Nikaj should have tried to earn himself a higher-division move.

Nikaj, 23, has left Whites for beaten National League South 2025/26 season play-off semi-finalists Dorking Wanderers after he contributed 15 league goals last time out.

While Leberl says the Albanian academy product exits Crabble on good terms, he suggests the time could have been right for him to aim to push even further up the pyramid.

Leberl said: “I would like for George to have pushed on towards the next couple of levels but, obviously, he has made the decision to stay at this level for whatever reason.

“It’s a difficult one. I spoke to George and wished him all the best.

“He’s scored a lot of goals for us and is a guy that can score out of nothing. He will be really difficult to replace but I think it was the right time for all parties.

“Hopefully, he can keep kicking on. Personally, I think he should have tried a little higher where I’m sure there would have been interest.

“Whether it was a financial decision, I’m not sure. But myself and (manager and owner) Marc White get on pretty well so, hopefully, George progresses his career there.

“I think he’s ready to go up another level.”

Dover are also still in talks with Portuguese forward Ruben Soares-Junior.

Soares-Junior, who's had surgery on a persistent knee injury in the close season, has played an important role for Whites in the past two campaigns but endured an injury-hit season last time out.

“We’re in talks with Ruben,” confirmed Leberl. “He’s away at the minute but we will catch up with him once he gets back.

“We have lost our physio (Will Narramore), as well, so we’re on the look-out for a new physio. Hopefully, Ruben stays about.