GILLINGHAM have splashed out £200,000 to bring Barnet Player of the Year Simon King to Priestfield.

The 24-year-old central defender has signed a three-year deal with club chairman Paul Scally predicting that he will eventually play in the Premier Division.

"By signing a player of his quality it shows that we have the ambition to try and get promotion back to the Championship," he stressed on the club's official website.

Oxford-born King started his professional career with his local club as a trainee and went on to make three league appearances before joining Barnet in July, 2003.

He rejected the club's offer of a new contract in favour of a move to Priestfield.

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