Right-back Ryan Jackson has re-joined Gillingham, becoming the League 1 team's first new arrival this summer.

Jackson returns to the Kent club for a second time after playing 80 times for the club between 2015 and 2017 in his first stint at Priestfield. He scored three goals in that spell.

With the club's two current right-backs, Lee Hodson and Barry Fuller, having been told they aren't part of the club's plans going forward, boss Steve Evans had been eager to bring in another right-sided defender.

On returning to the club, Jackson said: “I’m happy to be back.

"I really enjoyed my time here before, so it was a bit of a no-brainer to come back.

"I remember my first year of my first spell; we beat Millwall 3-0 at the Den – that was a good memory.

"I'm now looking forward to meeting up with the boys.”

Jackson joins Gillingham after departing Colchester following a three-year spell at the club, where he scored six goals in 140 appearances.

Manager Evans added to the club website: "We are really pleased.

"He needs no introduction from me to Gills fans, does he?

"The kid had four or five options and, at one point, I thought he was drifting but we got it back on track and he’s signed and joined us.

"I have spoken to two or three lads that have played for me and Paul (Raynor, Gillingham's assistant) at previous clubs who played in League 2 last year and they were raving about him."

Jackson, 30, also counts AFC Wimbledon, Fleetwood, Cambridge, Macclesfield and Newport among his other former clubs.

He also earned two England C caps in 2013.

The length of Jackson's contract has not been disclosed by the club.

Meanwhile, the Gills will take to Zoom to conduct a virtual player-of-the-year awards evening today (Friday). It will start at 6pm.

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