GILLINGHAM are celebrating a coup after persuading classy centre-back Ian Cox to return south from Burnley.

Croydon-born Cox, 32, has signed a two-year deal after his release on a free transfer, and immediately placed pressure on the club’s established centre-back partnership of ever-present Chris Hope and Barry Ashby.

With Blackpool left-back John Hills expected to sign and further reinforce the defence, player-manager Andy Hessenthaler was in buoyant mood.

Although Gillingham had been linked with Watford’s Neil Cox and Tottenham’s Alton Thelwell, Ian Cox remained the prime target.

Hessenthaler said: “I’ve said for some time that we needed extra cover in central defence so I’m delighted to have signed a player of Ian’s calibre. With Chris Hope and Barry Ashby we now have genuine competition for places."