Gillingham midfielder Jack Payne has signed for Peterborough, the League 1 club’s chairman revealed.

Payne spent the end of last season on loan at London Road and was left out of Gillingham’s pre-season matches against Faversham and Ashford on Saturday despite featuring on the first day back of pre-season on Wednesday.

The move was announced by Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony on Twitter.

He said: “Some good news non striker related: Please to announce Jack Payne has signed a 4 yr deal with us. Quality acquisition Poshies!

“I’m pleased we as a club continue to purchase top quality young league talent which in turn sees FL clubs benefit financially. Jack P will only enhance our already strong squad as we work towards competing for league 1 honours.”

The 21-year-old made 14 appearances for Peterborough in the Championship after joining on loan at the end of January when a potential move to Crystal Palace failed to materialise.

He made more than 100 appearances for the Gills after his debut in 2008 against Chester in League 2.

Although the two teams were two divisions apart last season, they are now in the same division. The Gills host Peterborough at Priestfield in League 1 on December 14 with the return fixture on March 29.