Goalscoring debutant Romain Vincelot admitted that he shunned bigger clubs so that he could play in his favoured midfield position.

The Frenchman (pictured) was transformed from a defender to an attacking midfielder during an 18-month spell with Dagenham and that’s where he wants to stay.

His impressive displays at Dagenham earned him a move to Championship Brighton but last week he opted for a loan move with the Gills to reignite his career after failing to get a game this season.

Vincelot, who turns 27 today (Monday), said: "I was hungry to play and I had a few opportunities to play higher up but that was being at the back and I didn’t want to play there.

"In midfield is where I really enjoy it and Martin Allen just told me that’s where he wanted me to play for his team and so I said ‘okay’."

Vincelot had his first training session with the Gills on Friday and found the mood in the camp an instant appeal.

"When I first came into training the lads were fantastic," he said. "I loved the atmosphere.

"I was training for just one day and I could feel it was so good. You can feel the spirit of the team and it’s just the right one."

Read more from Romain in Monday's Medway Messenger newspaper.