BIRD FLIES INTO CRABBLE

Former Newport County striker Ryan Bird has become Dover’s eighth new summing signing and second on Tuesday evening.

The 6ft 4in targetman has put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal with an option for further year.

Bird scored six goals in 19 appearances for the League Two side last season, including one on his debut against Hartlepool United in January.

He joined the Welsh club from National League side Eastleigh where he scored seven times in 18 appearances, including one against Dover in our  4-2 win at the Silverlake in August.

Four of those goals came in Eastleigh’s 6-0 FA Cup final qualifying round win against Southern League side North Leigh in October.

Bird started his career at non-league Burnham where he scored 133 goals in 340 appearances.

He joined Portsmouth in 2013 and left for Cambridge United the following year.

A move to Yeovil Town followed before he signed for Eastleigh last summer.

He has also spent time on loan at Havant & Waterlooville, Cambridge and Hartlepool United.

Boss Chris Kinnear has now signed Femi Ilesanmi, Tobi Sho-Silva, Connor Essam, Manny Parry, Kane Richards, Mitch Brundle and Jamie Allen.

Welcome to Crabble Ryan!!