Former Gillingham loanee Gavin Tomlin has joined their League Two rivals Southend United on a one year deal.

The striker opted to move to the Essex club after leaving Dagenham & Redbridge after a successful spell on loan with The Gills last season.

The 29 year old former Brentford and Yeovil Town striker opted to move to Southend United having already admitted that it was unlikely that he’d be returning to Priestfield despite being popular amongst the Gills fans.

Tomlin signed a loan deal with The Gills in January of last season and went on to score six goals in just ten appearances for the club, but picked up an ankle injury in March and despite playing against Oxford United in April, he spent the rest of the season on the sidelines.

Missing out on Tomlin’s signature will come a blow to Gills fans who had hoped the 29 year old would return to the club.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the Gillingham squad will report for pre-season training on Thursday with the new manager set to be announced towards the end of the week.

Also, former Gillingham winger Dennis Oli has today signed a one year deal with Wycombe Wanderers.

Oli was released by The Gills at the end of last season after four and a half years at Priestfield with the 28 year old scoring fifteen times in 145 appearances.