Jake Hessenthaler has a new club and it could mean an early-season return to Priestfield.

The popular former Gillingham midfielder, who played over 150 league games for the club, has this week signed a two-year deal with League 2 side Crawley Town.

Gillingham will meet Crawley in a behind closed doors fixture at Priestfield on Tuesday night in their first Football League Trophy match of the season.

Hessenthaler’s 2019/20 season was ended before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, suffering multiple injuries while playing for Grimsby Town after a challenge from another former Gills player, Simeon Jackson.

He suffered a broken rib, ligament damage across the shoulder and collarbone - as well as a punctured lung.

Prior to that he had made a good impression with the League 2 side, becoming a fans’ favourite after a series of consistent performances, most recently under the management of Ian Holloway. He was released at the end of the season as the club looked to shed players off the wage bill.

Fit-again Kent boy Hessenthaler has now joined a club closer to home, moving to a side whose head coach John Yems knows him well, having worked as a coach at Gillingham with Jake’s dad Andy.

Yems said: “I have formed an excellent relationship with Jake during his career. I believe he is an excellent fit to our squad and has lots of experience at this level.”

Hessenthaler will hope to make his debut this Saturday against Millwall in the Carabao Cup and could then feature in the midweek clash against the Gills, dependent on how many changes Crawley decide to make.

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