Former Gillingham defender Matt Lawrence has today agreed a one year deal with Ryman Premier League side Whitehawk.

The 38 year old former Millwall and Crystal Palace defender was released by The Gills at the end of last season and had been contemplating retiring from the game, but will now spend the next twelve months with the non league side.

Lawrence signed for The Gills from Crystal Palace on a free transfer in the summer of 2010 and went on to make 73 appearances for the club in his two year stay, but was deemed surplus to requirements after falling our of favour under former manager Andy Hessenthaler.

His last game for the club came in the televised match against Southend United at Priestfield in February and despite being transfer listed, no clubs came in for him and he was released at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Gillingham are believed to be handing a trial to former midfielder Michael Flynn who was released by Bradford City at the end of last season.

Flynn had just over two years at Priestfield between February 2005 and the summer of 2007, making 105 appearances and scored 21 goals in the process.

Curtis Weston is another midfielder that won’t be back for another spell at the club after new manager Martin Allen decided against keeping him on for pre-season.

Barry Fuller will travel with the squad to France on Thursday though and is expected to be given pre-season to prove his fitness and earn a new deal at Priestfield.

The Gills are playing an eleven a side training game at the Beechings Cross training ground on Tuesday afternoon to improve their match fitness, whilst giving Allen the opportunity to look at some new faces.

Meanwhile, Southampton are believed to be one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga with Allen confirming at the weekend that the keeper could be sold this summer.