Gillingham manager Neil Harris couldn’t be any happier with the summer additions the club have made so far.

Last week the Gills added midfielder Jonny Williams and left-back Max Clark to their ranks, having earlier in the summer clinched a permanent deal for defender Conor Masterson.

More: Harris on striker speculation

Gills’ first-team squad is up to around 18 players and that leaves room for a handful more.

Harris said: “I can’t be any happier this summer than where we’re at and the squad that we’ve put together so far.

“We’re able to compete in the top reaches of this division. We are building a football club with a new base, a new structure and real excitement and anticipation and we’re able to attract players as well because of that.

“I’m delighted with the squad I’ve got already. Just look at where we are today compared to 12 months ago, it is night and day, let’s be honest, no disrespect to the lads that were here last year.

“We've added three top, top players already. If we reported back next Wednesday with the mould of the 18 first team, senior players we've got, including Jayden Clarke in that group, I'd be absolutely delighted.

“I knew when I took the job that the transfer window [last summer] would be tough. It was the most horrific transfer window I’ve ever been in!

“January was totally different, it was brilliant. It showed the capabilities as a manager and a coach that, give me the tools and I can piece it together quite quickly and we did in January.

“Obviously luck is involved but also some really good judgement calls from the recruitment team to get the players right. We flew in the second half of the season.

“I am not going to say that naturally we’re just going to keep flying. It can take time to mould the squad and blend new guys in. Getting business done early can be key.

“You want five-and-a-half weeks of pre-season to set the group up and get them all fitted into place. We have the core group, add in a centre-forward, a centre-half and a wide player, maybe something else different somewhere. It’s not major changes, it’s not major surgery during the pre-season. I have a core group to work with.”

Williams has previously enjoyed promotions with Crystal Palace and Charlton and had spent the last two seasons at Swindon. Gillingham beat League 2 rivals Bradford City to his signature.

“He’s certainly one that should excite the fans,” said Harris. “He excites me as a manager, will certainly have raised eyebrows in the changing room among the lads.

“Contrary to what anyone might think it’s not because we have thrown money at Jonny Williams. He’s here because I’ve had a long-standing relationship from afar with Jonny and I’ve tried to sign him on various occasions, predominantly when I was managing down in South Wales (at Cardiff City).

“Jonny brings real class to the group and a player that’s played (for Wales) in the Euro Championship Semi-Final in 2016. He started a Nations League game less than 12 months ago and has got the ability to be one of the best players in the division.”

Clark is another who had been on Harris’ wishlist for some time having looked to sign him when he was Millwall boss. Last season he played a key role at full-back in helping Stevenage to win promotion from League 2.

Harris said: “He brings knowhow on how to get out of the division, and that's the first thing, we talk about good characters and Gillingham players and talk about characteristics and personality and everyone knows I like honesty and aggression and opinion in my changing room.

“Max brings all of that but also brings knowhow and when you’re looking to build a team that wants to be in the top reaches of a division then you do need people that know how to get promoted.”