GILLINGHAM have completed the signing of Wigan Athletic's Michael Flynn, subject to a medical.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder will be introduced at Priestfield on Friday morning having agreed personal terms on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Manager Stan Ternent said: "I've brought him in because he's better than what I have in that position at the moment."

With Andy Hessenthaler on loan for the rest of the season at League 1 title contenders Hull and Mark Saunders and Danny Spiller out with long-term injuries the side desperately needed strengthening in that area.

He will go straight into the squad for this weekend's trip to Watford.

Newport-born Flynn, a versatile midfielder who can play centrally or on the wings, joined the Lactics from Welsh side Barry Town for £15,000 in the summer of 2002.

The 24-year-old helped Barry to win the Welsh league and cup double and played in the Champions League qualifier against Portuguese giants FC Porto in 2001.

Up against the likes of Portugal international Deco and Portuguese League top-scorer Pena they were thrashed 8-0 in the Estadio do Dragao, but in the second leg won 3-1 with Flynn among the scorers.

Flynn has spent most of this season on the bench as Wigan strive to get back into the top-flight, making just one start and coming on 12 times as a substitute.

His only goal came in the 90th minute in a 4-1 home win against Coventry in October, a minute after coming on as sub.