Gillingham defender Connor Essam has joined Blue Square Bet South league side Dartford on a month’s loan.

The Chatham born nineteen year old youth team graduate, joined Gillingham in January 2002 and progressed through the ranks of Gillingham’s Centre of excellence and was awarded a professional contract in 2010.

Despite having signed professional terms, Essam is yet to make a first team appearance at Priestfield and has found chances limited with The Gills, being sent out on loan to Bishop’s Stortford and Dover Athletic.

Essam is expected to complete the paperwork on the one month loan deal at Princes Park in time to go into the Darts squad to face Dorchester Town this weekend.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler told the club’s official website how he was glad to have got his defender out on loan to the local side:

“It’s a good opportunity for Connor to get to play some games. He’s got a month there and there’s a lot of matches for him, including the two against Jack (Evans) and it’s good that they are both getting experience.”

Evans is currently on loan at Welling United, whilst goalkeeper Daren Hawkes is with Maidstone United for a month.