Gillingham manager Neil Harris has added a striker to his squad with the capture of former Sunderland man, Mikael Mandron.

The 27-year-old returns to ME7 for a second spell with the Gills having scored six times in 28 appearances during the 2019/20 season, which was curtailed early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mandron, born in Bologne-Sur-Mer, has been at Crewe for the last two seasons, netting 24 goals in 85 outings, but returns to Kent to be the club’s eighth summer arrival, following Scott Kashket to MEMS Priestfield Stadium who he played alongside at Gresty Road last season.

The forward began his career in France with local teams before joining Sunderland in 2011 and made his debut in the Premier League at Villa Park in 2013. Loan spells followed at Fleetwood, Shrewsbury and Hartlepool before joining Eastleigh on a permanent basis in July 2016.

Following a prolific spell at the National League side, a six month stint which saw him net 15 times in just 33 outings, he joined Wigan in January 2017 prior to joining Colchester later that year.

Across a two-year spell in Essex the striker found the net 15 times, and his form alerted the Gills who moved for the 6’3 forward in 2019.

In a season which was finished prematurely, Mika scored a memorable brace at the Stadium of Light against his former employers which proved to be the last competitive game the club played in front of supporters for nearly 18 months.

On returning to Priestfield, Mika said: “I am buzzing to be back, I can’t wait to get started.”