Former Gillingham striker Tom Eaves has joined Championship side Hull City in a three year deal.

Eaves, who scored 21 goals for Gillingham in League One last season, was a free agent after his contract at the Priestfield Stadium came to an end last month and has agreed a deal which will keep him at the KCOM Stadium until 2022, with the Club also holding the option of adding a further year.

The 27-year-old, who stands at 6’3” tall, adds to the Tigers’ attacking options and he has already joined up with his new team-mates on their pre-season training camp in Marbella.

Speaking about the signing of Eaves, Head Coach Grant McCann said: “Tom will be a great addition for us. He’s got a different dynamic to what we’ve got and brings something different to our forward line.

“He comes here with a good pedigree. He was probably one of the best centre forwards in League One last season in terms of the goals he was scoring in a team that wasn’t around the top end of the table, so we’re really pleased to bring him here.”

Having started his career with Oldham Athletic, and also featured for Bolton Wanderers and Yeovil Town, Eaves hit form after signing for Gillingham in 2017. 18 goals in his first season with the Kent club saw him lay down a marker but he surpassed that in 2018/19 with a total of 22 goals in all competitions.

His performances earned him the Gills’ Players’ Player of the Season award, and the Tigers have beaten off interest from a number of other clubs to land his signature.

After putting pen-to-paper, Eaves said: “I’m over the moon to be at a club of this magnitude. It’s a new chapter in my career and, having met up with the rest of the lads in Marbella this afternoon, I can’t wait to get going.

“I’m really excited to see what the future brings.”

Meanwhile, Eaves had a message for the Gills fans following his departure:

“The time has come to finally say goodbye to Gillingham Football Club,” he said.

“I started the journey at this club always holding the ambition to play as high as I can, something ingrained in me since the beginning of my career. The opportunity to do so has now presented itself, one which wouldn’t have done so without the support of you, the fans.”

“I must start by saying a huge thank you to all of you for welcoming me with open arms and showing me the love and loyalty you have the past two seasons. You have truly reignited my love and passion for the game again!”

“I just hope you understand my decision to move on. I must thank Ady Pennock and Peter Taylor and the chairman for bringing me to the club, not to mention Steve Lovell, Patto, James Russell, Gary Hemens, the medical team and all staff involved at the club.

“Last but not least I want to thank my team-mates. We have demanded from one another the past two seasons and I can honestly say the dressing room has been the most enjoyable place to come and work.

“I have truly made some friends for life and can honestly say I will always be a Gills supporter. Up the GIlls!”