Woking manager Jermaine Defoe says he is building a squad of players that "believe in the project" as he prepares for his first full season in charge.
The 43-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker was handed his first managerial role in March 2026, replacing Neal Ardley at the National League club. They lost just one of his six matches in charge, taking nine points from a possible 18.
Defoe has been working with director of football Jody Brown to strengthen the squad, with six signings added already this summer.
"What's really pleasing for me is that there were lots of players out there getting interest from other clubs, and they wanted to come here," Defoe told BBC Radio Surrey.
"It's great that they believe in the project, and they believe that they can come and be part of something that's trying to do something special."
The new arrivals include forwards Ashley Clarke, 20, from AFC Bournemouth, and Josh Ayres, 20, from Rotherham United.
"Josh and Ash are great kids, and they want to learn," Defoe said. "That's what you want, players who are coachable, who want to train every day and improve.
"As a manager I just want to try and give these players as much of the benefit of my experience as I can, whether that's a centre-back or a number nine."
Ayres said he was already benefiting from having a former England striker as his boss.
"Its different with him, as the gaffer can still play," he said. "He is involved in training, but if he really joined in, he'd show us up for sure.
"He's helping me understand the best way to score goals, and be the sort of striker he wants me to be.
"He's trying to get me to be a nuisance and have freedom in the box, getting me to drop in and spin off, making it harder for the defender."
While Woking are looking to build, they also lost influential central defender Aaron Drewe this summer after both parties failed to agree a new contract.
"Yes it was a blow, but it's part and parcel of football," Defoe said. "He's a good player, he had options. You get players who say they want to stay here, and some who want to go and explore.
"We've brought in Zico [Asare] instead. Similar profile: dynamic, quick, good defender one-on-one, wants to learn and improve. That's what happens, that's football."
Defoe said he believes that the club have created a good squad mix, with young, hungry players alongside the experience of striker Aiden O'Brien (32), midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey (32) and goalkeeper Craig Ross (36).
"Ultimately, we want the team to be fit, dynamic, have high energy at the top of the pitch, win the ball back, be exciting, and give the fans something to cheer about."
