January 2025 Transfer Window Round-Up

At 11pm on Monday 3rd February, the transfer window slammed shut and that was all the time left for Gills to help get their season back on track. 3 departures and 5 incomings, we take a look at all the business that took place at Priestfield this month.

GEORGE LAPSLIE - OUT

The first port of call was the departure of midfielder George Lapslie to league rivals Bradford City. Lapslie signed from Mansfield Town 2 years ago, and was vital in that season keeping our EFL status. He went on to make 79 appearances in all competitions for The Gills, scoring 8 goals, all of which came in the league.

A player who certainly gave his all when called upon for the team, but with injuries being a problem during his tenure and with reported high wages, it felt now was the right time for both parties to move on. However, Lapslie certainly wasn't a bad servant for the club and we wish him well at Bradford.

ASHER AGBINONE - LOANED IN

Gills first signing of the window was Asher Agbinone, who joined on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season. Highly regarded at Selhurst Park, and one Gills can look forward to, he has already shown a load of promise and hope in the 3 appearances he has made under John Coleman this month so far. A regular for Palace's U21 team, including appearances in all 3 EFL Trophy games this season for the young eagles, including one against The Gills, he has also been on the bench for the senior team in a number of Premier League games, however has only come on to make 2 top flight caps, making his debut in a 1-0 away loss to Nottingham Forest in October.

A signing with real potential, and a young player with a bright future who will certainly go on and help Gills this season.

NELSON KHUMBENI - IN

The signing of Nelson Khumbeni was the next move for John Coleman and Gillingham. Khumbeni became our only permanent signing of the window, joining from League 1 Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee. Despite still being just 22 years of age, Khumbeni has already picked up plenty of EFL experience with loan spells at Morecambe last season and beginning the first half of this season at Accrington Stanley where she scored 1 goal and got 1 assist, he also had a spell at National League side AFC Fylde.

A well rounded defensive midfielder added to the ranks, and one we should keep tabs on this season as he has potential to be a real engine in the midfield. While he may not have the flair factor like Agbinone or JJ Morgan, Khumbeni will certainly help strengthen our line-up in the centre of the pitch.

LUCA ASHBY-HAMMOND - END OF LOAN

The only inevitable departure was back-up goalkeeper Luca Ashby-Hammond. Not a real loss for Gills, signing on a short term loan from Fulham to fill the gap of the then injured Jake Turner. He made just 1 league appearance, coming on as a sub in the 2-1 home defeat to Accrington Stanley replacing the injured Glenn Morris. However, he was the starter in all 3 EFL Trophy games.

Not the biggest loss we'll ever have, and one we probably won't remember in years to come but we wish Luca all the best in his career.

JIMMY-JAY MORGAN - LOANED IN

The 3rd signing of the window came in the form of Chelsea's highly rated prospect Jimmy-Jay Morgan. JJ also has a wealth of experience in the U21 leagues, and was signed to the blues from Southampton for around £6 Million. Another young player who has bags of potential and just like Agbinone, ahs shown real promise in the handful of games he has already played under Coleman this past month. With Gills the first club on his CV outside the already mentioned Chelsea and Southampton, JJ can also boast caps for England, featuring 21 times for the Three Lions at U16, U17 and U18 level.

A young man with huge potential, plenty of ability and one we can really look forward to watching at Priestfield over the next few months. Certainly a player who will go on to great things in the coming years!

TIMOTHEE DIENG - LOANED OUT

The start of the Deadline Day business saw midfielder Tim Dieng depart on loan to fellow League 2 side Cheltenham Town. Just like Lapslie, Dieng signed in the January of 2023 just after the Galinson takeover and was a crucial part in keeping us up that year. He went on to feature 72 times in all competitions for The Gills, scoring 11 goals in the process which included the memorable strikes against Charlton in the FA Cup last season and a brilliant free kick against high flying Wrexham which led to a 1-0 victory keeping our play-off hopes alive!

A player that was certainly appreciated during his time here, but with his contract up at the end of the season it is unlikely we will see the Frenchman in a Gills shirt again.

ANDY SMITH - LOANED IN

Andy Smith became the first of 2 Deadline Day signings, joining on loan from Championship side Hull City. The 23 year old centre back has plenty of EFL experience having loan spells at Salford City, Cheltenham Town and Grimsby Town. The latter is where he has had the most success. Smith was part of the Grimsby side that won promotion back to the EFL via the play-offs in the 21/22 season, playing the full 90 in their play-off final victory against Solihull Moors. He was also on loan at the Mariners the following season where he was part of the team that reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, playing the full 90 in the QF defeat at Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

A bright young defender who will definitely strengthen our back line, and one we should be excited to watch this season.

DOMINIC CORNESS - LOANED IN

The final movement of the window came in the form of Dominic Corness, a young defender on loan from Liverpool. A relatively unknown name before coming in, Corness has also enjoyed plenty of games at U21 level for the Reds, but also had his share of senior football during a loan spell last season at Swiss Super League side Yverdon Sport, where he made 20 appearances for the Swiss outfit.

Nicknamed "The Wand" due to his passing ability, it remains to be seen what we can expect from Corness in a Gillingham shirt but one we can certainly be excited about.

WINDOW RECAP

As a whole this window has left fans with very mixed feelings. Following the sacking of Mark Bonner earlier in the month, we were told his departure was to allow us to "go for it" in terms of gaining a play-off spot come May. However, the signings we have brought in don't quite match up to that attitude, and linger more towards the mindset of the season already being over.

It with all respect that we have captured the signings of some great and exciting young talent and players we should be very excited to see grace the Priestfield surface, and of course these are players that will help the team but are they the answers to our problems? Some would say that answer is no.

Another big issue for some supporters was the 2 departing midfielders were the wrong personnel. Of our midfield arsenal, Lapslie and Dieng seemed to have the most attacking threat and getting rid of both is a negative on our midfield, particularly going forward. However mixed reactions on this as both would have been on a larger wage bill, so getting them off that is certainly a positive.

Obviously, we have to wait and see what the future holds for Gills for the remainder of the season as well as the new boys, writing them off before half of them have even played a game isn't useful for anybody, but with the blatant issues of a lack of goals not addressed in the way some fans hoped it has left this window with a sense of doubt and disappointment.

Is the season over already? Are we staring relegation in the face? Are these signings secretly blessings and we're about to go on a play-off charge? Who knows. But what we can't do is write the new lads off this early and we should give the team the full support and wait and see what the future holds for the remainder of what has been a disappointing season thus far.

How would you rate our January business? And what do you make of the new signings we have made?

Elsewhere in this window, academy players Taite Holtham and Josh Bayliss went out on 1-Month loans to Ashford United and Margate respectively, both of the Isthmian League South East Division. Gills did also make one other lesser know deal this month, signing Damien Theodore from Isthmian League side Burgess Hill Town. A player we probably won't see much of, and will most likely be featuring for the youth team. However, it is good to see us signing local young talent from local sides, something fans have wanted to see for a while.