Gillingham have finally got their man.

After a week of negotiations the Gills have managed to lure Justin Edinburgh away from League 2 Newport County.

It ends a lengthy search for a new manager at Priestfield which has been going on since the New Year's Eve dismissal of Peter Taylor.

Former Tottenham defender Edinburgh leaves a Newport side who he managed to take from the bottom end of the Football Conference to the top end of league 2 during his three and a bit years at Rodney Parade.

During his playing career the Essex based 45-year-old won both an FA Cup and League Cup winning medal.

He takes over from a four-man management team who have been in charge since Taylor's sacking.

Chairman Paul Scally was inundated with requests to take over at the League 1 side but chose to seek his own targets. AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley chose to decline the club's advances.

The Gills turned their attentions to Edinburgh and made an official approach on Monday. What stood In their way was a six-figure fee that was demanded before talks could begin. Gills were well short of the £100k required.

The recent deal involving Ryan Bertrand, which Gills were understood to profit from, meant Newport were reluctant to budge. Negotiations with Mr Scally and Newport chairman Les Scadding, who was holidaying this week, finally ended in an agreement.

The Gills had earlier reportedly offered players in part exchange but the South Wales side declined that straight away.

Edinburgh, who watched the Gills take on Bristol City in the Johnston's Paint Trophy, will now get his chance to build on a job started by Taylor.

His new team take on Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon and Edinburgh faces a tough start, with Peterborough and MK Dons to follow.