There was devastating news for Gillingham fans just as the transfer window closed as star midfielder Kyle Dempsey had signed for Bolton Wanderers.

Dempsey has signed for Bolton Wanderers on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old joined the Gills in the summer of 2020 on a two-year contract and was given the club captaincy shortly following his arrival.

He scored eight goals in 44 appearances in his first season at MEMS Priestfield Stadium, winning “Player of the Year” in the process. He scored some crucial goals at important times, including the winner in a 3-2 win at the Valley, and the only goal of the game in a 1-0 triumph at Accrington.

This season he made a further 22 appearances for the Gills, scoring one goal, that coming in the 2-2 draw at Bolton in October. His final appearance was in Saturday’s 7-2 defeat to Oxford United.

With Ben Thompson having joined on a free having had his contract with Millwall mutually terminated, Gillingham have balanced the books number wise, but have decided to cash in on Dempsey with the midfielder himself out of contract in the summer.

A rumoured fee of in the region of £180,000 has been paid for Dempsey and that will go some way to paying off the monitored loan that sees Gillingham under a transfer embargo with the EFL.

Having signed for Bolton, Dempsey had some words for the fans of his new club and the one he’s departed:

“I am absolutely buzzing to sign for this huge club! I cannot wait to get started as soon as possible and show the fans what I’m about!”

“I’d like to thank all the fans for making me feel welcome straight away with all your messages, hard work starts now.”

“Just like to wish everyone at Gillingham Football club all the best in the future. I’d like to say a big thank you to all the fans for how you’ve been with me since the moment I arrived!”

“You have always been top quality and I will always be grateful for that.”

“I really hope the club gets out of the position it’s in and remains in League One where it belongs!”

“It’s been an absolute honour to captain the club and like I said I wish all the boys, staff, chairman and fans all the very best for the future.”

New boss Neil Harris now knows the squad that he has at his disposal for the rest of the campaign, with both Vadaine Oliver and Jack Tucker staying at Priestfield having been linked with other clubs throughout January.