Gillingham sign Dagenham & Redbridge captain Will Wright

Gillingham have made their first signing of the summer.

Will Wright, 24, has joined the Gills after rejecting an offer from his previous club Dagenham.

The Daggers just missed out on the play-offs in the National League this season.

Wright has spent the last four years at Dagenham, moving there permanently from Colchester United in the summer of 2019 after spending the previous season there on loan. He’s played around 150 games for the club and was their captain.

The newcomer, who stands at 6ft 3inch, can play on the right side of defence or in the middle.

"Once I spoke to the Gaffer it was pretty much a no-brainer," Wright told the club website.

"I'm hard-working, composed, I like to think I'm a leader and I like to take care of the ball in possession. I have a good range of passing and I am looking forward to showcasing that next season."

Manager Neil Harris added: "I am delighted to welcome Will to the club. He is a player I have been aware of for a period of time following references from our recruitment department.

"He is a player that has potential to improve and he adds versatility to our back-line. He is adaptable to playing in a back three or in a back four and has the capability to grow as a centre-half over time."

Wright moves to Priestfield on a permanent deal but the length of his contract hasn't been disclosed.

He previously captained the Colchester under-23 side before moving to Dagenham, signing for the club under former Gills boss Peter Taylor.

Taylor, with an eye for good young talent, said at the time: “Will has got all the tools to be a very good centre half and the plus for us is that he’s a good footballer and a good talker.”

Wright started out in the Luton Town academy and also played for Hitchin