GILLINGHAM have handed versatile youngster Luke Howell a one-year professional contract.

The 19-year-old was promoted from the club’s youth set-up after starring for Bobby Paterson’s youngsters in a variety of roles.

Howell, who can play full-back or in midfield, also had a successful nine-game spell on loan to Welling last season.

Gills’ youth team director Paterson believes Howell still has plenty to learn but is more than worthy of a chance.

He said: "He’s got a tremendous attitude and he works very hard. There’s still things in his game that he needs to improve but he deserves this chance.

"He lacks a bit of technical ability but we wanted to take the gamble on him.

"At youth team level every game that he played in, no matter what position it was, he had an impact."

Paterson did, however, have to release nine final-year scholars, with those being Shane Herbert, Kevin Partleton, Mark French, Akwashi Fobi-Edusei, Ashley Dumas, Anthony Ebili, George Purcell, Hicham Akhazzan and Joseph Momoh.