Gillingham midfielder Jack Payne had agreed a two year contract extension at Priestfield.

The 19 year old has put pen to paper on the deal that will see him stay at the club until 2015 ending speculation about his immediate future.

Payne had been linked with a move away from Priestfield on numerous occasions in the past year, but agreeing to a new deal shows his belief in the club and boss Andy Hessenthaler is clearly a happy man telling the club’s official website:

“This is absolutely fantastic news for the football club, for me as a manager, for the fans and for Jack himself.”

“It’s great news that Jack has committed himself to the club, he’s a young lad who has played a lot of games.”

“He is a player that wants to learn, he wants to get better every day.”

“There are exciting times ahead, Jack is a local lad who has a hunger and desire to do well for this club.”

“Everyone at Gillingham Football Club expresses the same sentiment, from the Chairman down to the fans.”

Payne, who has made 65 appearances for The Gills and has been named as the Young Player of the Year for the past three seasons, is expected to be part of the side that takes on Aldershot on Saturday afternoon.

Picture supplied by Ed Boyden