Brennan Dickenson dropped down a division to play for the Gills but he believes it’s a step forward.

The 20-year-old spent two and a half years at Championship side Brighton but after failing to make a first team appearance, he was desperate for action.

Loan spells at Northampton, Wimbledon and Chesterfield helped but he’s delighted to now get a chance to show what he can do on a regular basis.

Dickenson, who signed for an undisclosed fee, said: “It’s going to be good for me to show the fans what I’ve got and get some games in League 1.

“My time at Brighton was good. I learned a lot there and it has helped me excel in my game. Now I have come here on a two-year deal. Hopefully, I can keep progressing.

“I haven’t played for the Brighton first team so it’s not really a step back for me. It’s more of a step forward.

“I’ve played games in League 2 (on loan) and now I am going to be playing in League 1 and hopefully I can have a good couple of seasons here and push on. It’s definitely a step forward rather than a step back.”

Dickenson’s 31 Football League appearances have all been in League 2 over the past two seasons.

“It was frustrating not playing at Brighton and so I would find a loan deal but it’s not where I want to be,” said the left-footed forward.

“I want to be comfortable somewhere, playing first-team football constantly. Hopefully, here I will be able to do that."

Read the full interview in this Friday's Medway Messenger newspaper. We've got SEVEN pages on the Gills as we look ahead to their new League 1 season.