Gillingham have missed out on the signing of Crystal Palace midfielder David Wright.

The Gills had been hoping to sign Wright ever since he enjoyed a successful loan period with the League 2 promotion chasers earlier in the season.

But experienced Wright (pictured) has instead moved to Joe Dunne’s League 1 Colchester United on a free transfer.

He played seven games for the Gills during a one month spell at Priestfield, where the club won five of their games and conceded just three goals.

Wright had been close to agreeing a deal at Priestfield last week, in a move that would have seen young midfielder Jack Payne head in the opposite direction.

The Gills, meanwhile, confirmed Cody McDonald’s signing on Friday, and have added two young players, Mahlon Romeo and Sam Muggleton, to the first team squad to face York City on Saturday.