New Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh will start work on Sunday after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal at Priestfield.

Andy Hessenthaler is staying on as Edinburgh's assistant, with Steve Lovell named first-team coach, while Darren Hare will return to youth-team duties.

Chairman Paul Scally decided Edinburgh was the man he wanted to succeed Peter Taylor about 10 days ago and finally negotiated his release from League 2 Newport County.

Edinburgh said: "It's been a little bit of a long process but one where I think everyone's conducted themselves professionally and correctly.

"I'm delighted to be manager of the football club. It's another step up for myself and obviously I'm delighted with Andy and Steve accepting the offers and staying on board.

"It would have been daft not to have tapped in to that wealth of knowledge in terms of Gillingham Football Club itself but obviously Hess has managed in the Championship and I can only learn from that.

"I'm a young manager who's got a lot to learn but I'm willing to do that.

"Steve has a wealth of experience as well and it's a great mix - myself as a defender, Steve as a striker and Andy a midfield player.

"I think we'll all have good ideas to bounce off one another and I really look forward to the task in hand.

"It's stability but obviously leadership and my own ideas will be implemented as we go along but right now I don't think there's a lot to be changed too much because these guys have brought a lot out of these young players.

"That's the excitement for me, the youth and the enthusiasm the players have shown when I've watched them of late and I look forward to the task ahead."

Edinburgh was impressed by Mr Scally's vision for Gillingham during talks. He added: "I think the chairman's drive and ambition for the club and the future was clear to see and I feel after watching the squad closely, there's development here.

"It's a club I came and played against in the Championship, so it's not something being sold that the club have never achieved.

"It's quite clear the fan base is here, the ambition's here and I think probably what the chairman said to me - there's a ship here ready to sail and it needs the captain. I feel I'm the man to do that."