Former Gillingham captain Doug Loft has joined Colchester United on a two-year deal.

The 29-year-old is the second ex-Gills player this week to move to the League 2 club who have also signed Brennan Dickenson.

Midfielder Loft moved to Priestfield from Port Vale two years ago but was released by manager Justin Edinburgh at the end of last season.

He made 62 league appearances for the Gills, scoring five goals and had led the side over the last two seasons.

However, injury blighted his 2015/16 campaign, limiting his impact and time on the pitch.

Loft started his career at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he played 49 times before moving to Port Vale in the summer of 2009.

During 2011/12, he was named Vale's Player of the Year and Players' Player and, in the summer of 2012, became captain, leading them to to promotion as they finished third in League 2.

After 196 games for Vale, Loft moved to Gillingham, a switch that saw him return to the county of his birth.