STUART THURGOOD made an impressive Gills debut against Hartlepool on Saturday and is thrilled to finally make the move to Priestfield.

The former Grays captain had previously been rejected by then manager Andy Hessenthaler during a trial and he’s delighted to be back.

Thurgood said: “I was here on trial for about a week and then they went to France for a tour, but I never got a phone call to come back, so I signed for Grays.

"I got here eventually and I’m glad to be here at a big club like Gillingham.”

Thurgood had previously tasted life in Japan, playing for Shimizu S-Pulse when he was a teenager, and then went onto play at Southend.

“I was in Japan for a few months and it was good,” said the 26-year-old. “It was a good experience, but I was a bit young at the time, and I felt I had to come back and I signed for Southend.”

After over three years away from the league game he’s now looking forward to making a big impact.

“Gillingham are a massive club and I’m buzzing to be here,” he said. “Every person’s dream is to play as high as they can. I hope I can do the best I can and that will be enough. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

More Gills player interviews in Friday's Medway Messenger