Midfielder Alex MacDonald leaves Gillingham to link up with old boss Steve Evans at newly-promoted Stevenage again

Alex MacDonald has left Gillingham to link up with old boss Steve Evans again.

The Gills had hoped to persuade the attacking midfielder to extend his time at Priestfield with a new contract this summer - but instead, the 33-year-old signed for Stevenage on Friday.

In a brief statement, a Gillingham spokesman said: “It has been confirmed that Alex MacDonald has signed for Stevenage ahead of the 2023/24 season.

“All the best Macca - and thank you.”

Stevenage’s excellent campaign led to a second-placed League 2 finish and another promotion for Glasgow-born Evans, who was in charge of the Gills from 2019 until last January.

Evans already has had former Scotland under-21 international MacDonald play under him twice, at Mansfield and Gillingham, and the pair have a good relationship.

MacDonald, who signed for the Gills three years ago, came into the 2022/23 season off the back of a serious injury but the amount of games he’s played shows there are no major concerns over his fitness, as Gillingham finished 17th in League 2.

He was Stevenage’s second addition of the day, with midfielder Nick Freeman also joining.

Defender David Tutonda has been offered fresh terms with Gillingham, too.