Gillingham defender Sam Gale signs new deal and the League 2 club also extends goalkeeper Taite Holtam’s agreement and hands striker Stan Sargent a professional contract

Gillingham defender Sam Gale has signed a longer-term contract at the club and two other young players have agreed new deals too.

Gale’s deal will run until the summer of 2028, which means the Gills are well placed to deal with any clubs wanting to sign the talented 21-year-old. Gillingham have the option of extending the deal for a further year.

Central defender Gale has become a regular at the heart of the Gills’ defence, just a year after breaking into the senior team. His first start came last December against AFC Wimbledon.

He’s now gone on to make 40 appearances for the Gills and has become a key member of the team.

Gale told the club: “It’s something that has been in the works for a little while now. I now look forward to the future.

"I am really thankful to the club for the faith that has been shown in me. It is important that I am happy where I am."

On a busy day for the club, young striker Stan Sargent also signed his first professional contract.

The 18-year-old has appeared for the Gills in the EFL Trophy this season - scoring against Fulham under-21s - and is a second-year scholar at the club.

“I am buzzing to get it done,” he said. “I can’t speak highly enough of the academy, it has been a really good journey from when I started aged 16.

"We have scored a lot of goals this season and we are through in the cups too, which is a real positive."

Goalkeeper Taite Holtam, meanwhile, has signed an extended deal which ties him to the club until the summer of 2027.

He played a couple of games in League 2 last season and the 20-year-old has been on the bench in recent games as back-up to Jake Turner.

Holtam spent the start of the season on loan at Ashford United before being recalled after Glenn Morris’ injury.

"I am