Gillingham’s on loan goalkeeper Jamie Cumming has been recalled by parent club, Chelsea, and has joined MK Dons on loan for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old signed for the Gills last summer and played 22 times for the club in total, keeping four clean sheets.

A statement from Gillingham Football Club reads:

“The Football Club would like to thank Jamie for his services and we wish him well for the future.”

Commenting on joining MK Dons for the remainder of the campaign, Cumming said:

“I am really excited. This is a great opportunity for me at a Club with great ambition and I am looking forward to helping the team as much as I can.”

“Both my spells at Stevenage and Gillingham were great for my development but this felt like the right next move for me in my career, especially with the way the team likes to play – it will give me an opportunity to show a side of my game that I would say is a strength.”

“Playing competitive football week in, week out is what is all about. The pressure of having to get three points is something I thrive on and hopefully I can help this Club do a lot of that and achieve its goals for this season.”

“I can’t thank The Gills fans enough for your support over the past few months. You’ve stuck with the team through some difficult times this season and truly are the most important people at the club. I wish everyone all the best for the rest of the season!”

The loss of Cumming will be a huge blow to interim manager Steve Lovell ahead of Saturday’s League One clash at home to Burton Albion.

Cumming’s departure leaves Gillingham with just one senior goalkeeper in Aaron Chapman and he seems set to face Burton at the weekend, although Lovell is expected to jump into the loan market to replace Cumming.

Chapman made his league debut for The Gills against Rotherham United in Decemeber, deputising for Cumming who was self isolatining due to Covid.

Chapman was to ship five goals in that game and his only other league action was the 2-1 loss at Fleetwood Town a few days later.

Having joined the club on a free transfer in the summer from Motherwell, Chapman has made just nine appearances in a Gillingham shirt so far, all but two of those coming in cup competitions.

Cumming joining MK Dons will be a massive shock to many Gillingham fans who will recognise he’s been by far the best player in a Gills shirt this season.