Justin Edinburgh expects new signing Rory Donnelly to take League 1 by storm.

The Northern Ireland striker was once courted by the likes of Liverpool and Everton, and Gillingham boss Edinburgh hopes the class that attracted the attentions of England’s top teams can shine through at Priestfield.

“I think he will settle in very quickly. I think he will take the league by storm,” said Edinburgh, who has tried to sign the striker for his old club Newport.

“I was aware of Rory from my time down in Wales. I tried to get him to Newport on a couple of occasions but wasn’t able to get it over the line. He played against us in pre-season and I have seen him in development games.”

Donnelly made a name for himself at NIFL Premiership side Cliftonville but left Swansea this summer after two and a half years, without making a senior league appearance.

“From Cliftonville to breaking into the Swansea first team in the Premier League was going to be a tough thing to accomplish,” Edinburgh said.

“I don’t look at it as a failure there. I think Swansea and other clubs who were chasing his signature a few years ago saw a very promising talent and we have had a bit of a coup. I look forward to working with him and for him to probably kick-start his career again.”

Read the full story in Monday's Medway Messenger