Steve Evans has pulled off a real coup ahead of the 2020/21 season with the loan signing of Arsenal’s Premier League centre-back, Zech Medley.

Gillingham have fought off strong competition from no less than three Championship clubs and a host of League 1 clubs to clinch the signing of highly rated Arsenal central defender, Zech Medley, on a season-long loan deal.

The promising 20-year-old centre-back, born in Greenwich and standing 6’5, came through the academy ranks at Chelsea and remained at Stamford Bridge until the age of 16, upon which Arsenal came calling for the talented youngster.

He has developed at an impressive rate and has featured several times for the Premier League giants.

After impressing the first-team management, successfully captaining the U18’s in the process, he was chosen twice to represent the club in the Europa League, firstly against Vorskla Poltava in November 2018 when he came off the bench away from home to replace Rob Holding, and then a month later against FK Qarabag he came on at the Emirates in place of Alexandre Lacazette in a 1-0 win.

The towering centre-half also made an appearance in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Blackpool in the FA Cup in January 2019.

Furthermore, Zech has international pedigree having featured for the England U16’s on eight occasions.

On pulling off a real coup ahead of the 2020/21 season, Manager Steve Evans said: “We are delighted that Zech has joined us.

“The lad has taken his time, spoken to numerous clubs and he is a superb addition.

“I would like to acknowledge the support of Mikel Arteta and his staff at Arsenal for agreeing that Zech should continue his education here.

“He is actually a Medway boy, he went to school in Gillingham and his family still live here, in many ways he is one of our own.”

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.