Gillingham have fought off heavy competition to clinch the signing of defender Lee Hodson on a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old is the club’s third signing of the summer under new boss Steve Evans and leaves Glasgow Rangers having made 27 appearances for the Gers across a three-year spell, scoring one goal.

However, last season, Hodson spent the entire campaign at St. Mirren and made 23 appearances in all competitions before returning to Ibrox, having joined Rangers from MK Dons in the summer of 2016 on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Lee began his career in the youth ranks at both Boreham Wood and Watford, making his debut for the latter in May 2009 as a second half substitute against Derby County at Vicarage Road.

During the 2012/13 season, the right-back spent time on loan at Brentford before being snapped up by MK Dons. In 2016 Hodson enjoyed a short spell on loan with Kilmarnock, sparking the interest of Glasgow Rangers who captured his signature in the summer of the same year.

Hodson is also a full Northern Ireland international and has 24 caps to his name, the last of which coming against Costa Rica in June 2018.

In total, Lee has made 227 appearances and scored four goals in all competitions. He joins both Connor Ogilvie and Jack Bonham who Steve Evans has signed in the last couple of weeks.

Speaking to the club’s official website Lee said: “I’m looking forward to getting started; it’s a club that has ambitions and I want to be a part of it.

“It’s a nice family club; I’m delighted to be here and I can’t wait to meet the lads and get started.”

Steve Evans added: “He’s a very, very accomplished stylish attacking player. He has signed as a right-back but has experience at left-back and across the midfield four.

“He’s a player I have wanted to work with for a couple of seasons, I tried to do something at Peterborough last season but it wasn’t to be. I’m delighted he has decided to apply his trade here.”

Chairman Paul Scally said: “I came back from the Chairman’s conference last night following three days in Portugal. I met his agent and got the deal done; the Manager has worked incredibly hard to get this one sorted and it’s another very good addition to the squad.

“The appropriate staff all came in on Saturday morning to assist and I’m very pleased to have secured Lee’s signature.”