Gillingham have finalised a deal to keep Australian youngster Matty Macarthur at the club.

Macarthur was one of four players to be offered professional contracts following the completion of their youth scholarships. Ronald Sithole, Alex Giles and Sam Gale had all earlier signed for the club.

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Sydney-born Macarthur, 18, started his career with the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia before moving to England and joining Southampton.

Two years ago he was offered an apprenticeship at the Gills and last summer was heavily involved in the first team’s pre-season schedule, which included appearances against Portsmouth and Crystal Palace. He was also an unused substitute in two games early on in the season.

The attacking player spent much of the past campaign out on loan with spells at both Margate and Sheppey United, scoring some impressive goals with both clubs.

Macarthur played for a Gills XI on Tuesday night at Hollands & Blair,

A crowd of 324 at Star Meadow watched the young Gillingham team win 2-0 thanks to goals in the first half from Harry Waldock and Jimmy Heasman.

Gillingham’s first senior pre-season game is on Saturday when Neil Harris’ team take on Dover Athletic (1pm).