Gillingham have added another central defender to their ranks.

Rhys Bennett becomes the latest addition for the Gills, a player who manager Steve Evans knows plenty about. Bennett, 29, played under Evans at Mansfield Town and the pair were reunited at Peterborough United.

The 6ft 3inch defender, who can also do a job in midfield, started out in the youth team of his hometown club Bolton before a move to Rochdale in 2012, where he spent several seasons.

His last club was Carlisle United, joining them on a short-term deal in January until the end of the season. He played 26 games for the Cumbrian side and managed a handful of goals as well.

He is set to fight for the centre-back spot along with Max Ehmer and Jack Tucker. Fellow defender Christian Maghoma remains on the transfer list.

Evans, who will have the player available for Saturday's friendly at Colchester, said: "Rhys is a strong lad who is very mobile and quick. He has a brilliant attitude, a winning mentality and as a manager you can never have enough of them."

The player was approached by Evans earlier in the summer but was looking at different options. Evans expected him to join a Scottish Premiership side but talks continued regardless.

"He wanted to be part of it (at Gillingham) and it quickly happened," Evans told the Gills website.

"He was outstanding for me at Mansfield, hence why we took him to Peterborough and he was almost an ever present when the club was, for many weeks, top of League 1."

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