Gillingham striker Ben Williamson has joined Cambridge United for an undisclosed fee.

Williamson had a successful loan spell at the Abbey Stadium last month and has now made the move permanent, signing an 18-month contract.

He moved to Gills from Port Vale on a two-year deal last summer but found opportunities limited and was sent to League 2 Cambridge, where he scored three goals in eight appearances.

Just last week Gills boss Justin Edinburgh said it was like having a new signing after Williamson returned to Priestfield, naming him on the bench at Wigan.

But Cambridge went back in for the 27-year-old and Gills agreed to let him go.

Boss Justin Edinburgh told the club website: "I'd like to thank Ben for his services while at the club, he was one of my signings and I was very pleased to get him on board.

"However, the form of Luke Norris, Rory Donnelly and the arrival of Dominic Samuel limited his first-team chances and he did very well at Cambridge while on loan.

"Having received a fee for the player I felt allowing him to move on was the right move for everyone involved."