Striker Joe Gbode has signed a professional contract with Gillingham.

The 17-year-old has been a regular in the first team squad this season and has been rewarded for his progress.

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Gbode joined the Gills as an under-15 player and has been playing first team and youth team football this season. He was the top scorer for the club’s under-18 side last term.

The Gills have named him on the bench regularly in recent weeks as the club’s designated homegrown player. His last appearance for the club was in a Kent Senior Cup game against Tonbridge Angels.

Prior to that he played for the Gills in their FA Cup game at Dagenham in November and also came off the bench in a handful of games, making his first start in the Football League on November 22 last year at Crawley Town.

He made his first appearance for the Gills as a 16-year-old when former boss Steve Evans included him in the team to play Cheltenham in the FA Cup. His league debut came days later at Crewe. He’s yet to score for the first team.

He started the season on loan at Hastings United - scoring twice on his debut and had a second spell there in November, scoring five goals in four league appearances. He has previously played for Margate for a short time.