Former Coventry City, West Ham and Charlton left-back Lewis Page joins Gillingham

Gillingham have signed a free agent to strengthen their defence.

Former Coventry City, West Ham and Charlton left-back Lewis Page has agreed a short term loan deal.

Page, 26, became a free agent after leaving fellow League 2 side Mansfield Town at the end of the year, where he spent a short time. He has already trained with the Gills.

The Gills were hoping to add a left-back to their ranks during the January transfer window but missed out on signing Peterborough's Joe Tomlinson, who went to Swindon Town instead.

Their new signing will add welcome competition to that department, with David Tutonda currently playing on the left side of defence. Robbie McKenzie's recent injury has left them short of additional options in the full-back area.

Page is the third player from Mansfield to join the Gills after they previously signed Oli Hawkins and George Lapslie from the Stags.

Gillingham's latest signing - the 11th since the start of the year - has only made one appearance this season, ironically against his former side Harrogate Town in November - the side Neil Harris' men face this weekend. It might mean his match fitness will need working on.

Page started his career at West Ham as a trainee and appeared for them in the Europa League before a loan spell at Cambridge United in League 2. He then joined Coventry City on loan before switching to Charlton for an undisclosed fee six years ago. He played 27 league games for them before leaving in 2020 and joining Exeter.

A season with Exeter was followed by a move to Harrogate where he stayed for 18 months and then onto Mansfield, joining them in November 2022 after successful trial.

He had been out with a foot injury for six months before joining Mansfield and played for them three