GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally has flown to Marbella to clinch the signing of Bolton's Rod Wallace on a Bosman free.

Wallace, who is on holiday in the Spanish resort, signed a two-year deal. His capture represents a triumph of perseverance for the club who have pursued the 32-year-old striker since the end of last season.

The striker, who lives at Epsom in Surrey twice visited Priestfield during five weeks of negotiations. With player-manager Andy Hessenthaler on holiday in the United States, Mr Scally took charge of the transfer negotiations and declared the arrival of the former Southampton, Leeds and Glasgow Rangers striker as "the biggest in the club's history".

He added: "This is a momentous day for our football club and shows the doubters, and those who suggested we might be dithering, that we mean business. Rod was top of the manager's list of players we should be chasing and I know that Andy is cock-a-hoop that we have pulled off this deal.

"A lot of other clubs were also interested so I'm particularly pleased we have been successful. Despite two successful seasons in Division 1 we do not intend to rest on our laurels."

Mr Scally dismissed any notion that at 32 Wallace was too old to make an impact. "Rod is among the quickest, strongest and fittest players in the Premier League and it took a lot of persuading to get him to drop down a division because he had been offered a very good contract at Bolton.

"So it's a big coup for us and in his own words he just wants to come to Gillingham, work hard and score goals. I think that's exactly what he'll do. He's really looking forward to the challenge."

Mr Scally disclosed that club sponsors Seafrance had been influential in completing the deal. He said: "I managed to get our sponsors Seafrance to agree a further and better deal for this year and for next which made it possible for me to pay the wages."

Mr Scally said that he hoping to sign another striker this week but declined to name him.