National League South side Dover Athletic offer new contracts to eight players as retained and released list confirmed

Dover Athletic have offered new contracts to eight of their players.

As Whites prepare for a second straight National League South season, they have moved to retain much of the 2025/26 squad that ended up seven points clear of relegation.

Academy graduates Luke Baptiste, George Wilkinson and Rolando Onu, with Roman Charles-Cook, Mo Jallow, Kenny Coker, Harry Beadle and Finley Marjoram, have been offered fresh terms at Crabble.

Dover will be due compensation under the Bosman ruling, even if any of those players opt to depart this summer.

Goalkeeper and captain Mitch Walker, and forward Max Fiddes - who ended the season on loan at Isthmian Premier club Cray Wanderers - are the only players presently under contract for the 2026/27 campaign under manager Jake Leberl.

They also remain in “continued discussions and negotiations” with keepers Jordan Gillmore and Claudio Boakye-Sarfo, defenders Fuad Sesay, Jalen Jones, Harrison Sodje, Jacob Mensah, midfielders Luca Cocoracchio, Bivesh Gurung, Ryan Hanson and forwards Decarrey Sheriff and Ruben Soares-Junior.

The club statement on Tuesday morning reveals Whites are yet to agree “appropriate compensation” for top scorer George Nikaj, who left for divisional rivals Dorking Wanderers last week.

Youngsters Kieron Agbebi, Henry Young and Matty Holness have all made exits from Dover, too.

“Dover Athletic would like to put on record its thanks and appreciation to those players leaving the club,” a club spokesman said.

“We wish them all the very best for the future.”

Forward Agbebi was on loan at Isthmian South East sides Margate, then Sheppey United, last time out and midfielder Young concluded the campaign at Margate under Ben Greenhalgh.

Right-sided defender Holness ended the season