Gills head coach Ady Pennock has strengthened his side’s defence by signing West Ham Academy graduate Bondz N’Gala until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old centre-back, who recently served as Barnet’s captain, has played over 250 professional games during his career to date.

“I’m delighted to join the Gills, they’re an established League One side and I’m very excited for what’s ahead,” he said.

“I’ve played at this level before, so I know the quality of the strikers, but I’m ready for that challenge.”

N’Gala joined the Irons’ Academy aged 13, and captained their reserves prior to turning professional at the Boleyn Ground.

He gained League One experience during a loan with MK Dons between November and December 2008, and made his professional debut for the Buckinghamshire club in their 3-0 win against Walsall.

N’Gala’s sole West Ham appearance – in an EFL Cup game against Bolton Wanderers – was followed by a loan spell with then Championship sides Scunthorpe United and Plymouth Argyle.

Upon leaving the east London club, he spent the entire 2010/11 season with Argyle, making 28 appearances. He then gained more League One experience with Yeovil Town and Stevenage during the 2011/12 and 2012/13 campaigns respectively.

The London-born defender moved to Barnet in July 2014, having previously made six appearances for the Bees during a loan spell in early 2013. N’Gala formed a key part of their Conference Premier-winning team in 2015, and went on to play 107 times to the north London club.

N’Gala has spent time playing under former Gills boss Martin Allen at Barnet and more recently Eastleigh, signing an eighteen month deal with the non league side in November, but left just a few months later by mutual consent and was once on trial with the Kent club.

N’Gala is Pennock’s fifth signing as Gills head coach, following the arrivals of Czech goalkeeper Tomas Holy, striker Josh Parker and AFC Bournemouth duo Harry Cornick and Joe Quigley in January. He will wear the number 45 shirt.