Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler has hailed goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga’s impact since coming into the side.

The Argentinean pulled off a vital last-minute penalty save in Gillingham’s 5-4 win against Hereford on Tuesday night and Hessenthaler has applauded the 20-year-old’s enthusiasm and dedication to the game.

He said: "He just loves playing football in England and playing for Gillingham. I am delighted we have got him.

"He is not the finished article and he is going to make mistakes. Ask the Manchester United goalkeeper who they spent £20m on. Goalkeepers will make mistakes."

Gazzaniga (pictured) was recommended to the Gills by Hessenthaler’s friend Gary Penrice, after the keeper was released by Spanish side Valencia and after a short trial signed a two-year deal at Priestfield in the summer.

It meant leaving family behind in Spain and Argentina but after moving in as a lodger with one of Gillingham’s cleaners, he has settled well, despite having to learn the English language from scratch.

Hessenthaler said: "He loves coming into training and loves working with the goalkeeping coach Ron Hillyard. I have never seen anyone so enthusiastic about playing football and wanting to do well. He is a pleasure to work with."

Hessenthaler isn’t the only person to see Gazzaniga’s potential.

"There were four goalkeeping scouts from different clubs there on (Tuesday) so he must be doing something right," he added.

"We don’t normally get so many goalkeeping coaches coming to watch our games so something is going on."