On-loan Gillingham goalkeeper Jamie Cumming joins MK Dons on loan for the rest of the season after being recalled by Chelsea
17:25, 13 January 2022
updated: 17:49, 13 January 2022
On-loan Gillingham goalkeeper Jamie Cumming has been recalled by Chelsea - and swiftly joined one of Gills' League 1 rivals.
Cumming has left Priestfield in favour of a move to fifth-placed MK Dons for the remainder of the campaign.
He had been on a season-long loan with the Gills but the London club decided to end that agreement early.
On the move, Cumming, who kept a clean sheet at Stadium MK on New Year's Day as the two sides played out a goalless draw, told MK Dons' website: "I'm really excited.
"This is a great opportunity for me at a club with great ambition and I'm looking forward to helping the team as much as I can.
"Both my (loan) spells at Stevenage and Gillingham were great for my development but this felt like the right next move for me in my career, especially with the way the team likes to play - it will give me an opportunity to show a side of my game that I would say is a strength.
"Playing competitive football week-in, week-out is what it's all about.
"The pressure of having to get three points is something I thrive on and, hopefully, I can help this club do a lot of that and achieve its goals for this season."
On Twitter, the 22-year-old thanked Gillingham fans, adding: "I can’t thank @TheGillsFC fans enough for your support over the past few months.
"You’ve stuck with the team through some difficult times this season and truly are the most important people at the club.
"I wish everyone all the best for the rest of the season!"
He played for the club 22 times in total.
The former England youth international will hope to make his MK Dons bow at Portsmouth this Saturday.
Head coach Liam Manning said: “Jamie has shown what he can do at this level, having impressed with Gillingham during the first-half of the season. We saw first-hand what he is capable of in the game here on New Year’s Day.
“Working with Pricey (goalkeeping coach, Lewis Price) and alongside Franco (Ravizzoli, their other senior keeper), I'm confident he will continue to progress as a professional and as a goalkeeper, and that, in turn, will help us on the pitch as well.”
Price added: "We have watched a lot of him this season and Liam has done a lot of recruitment analysis too - he came out on top in a lot of what we were looking for.
“I like his presence in the goal - he’s positive and on the front foot.
"It’s clear from his time coming through at Chelsea and with England that he is comfortable with the ball at his feet as well.
“He’s done well at Gillingham and Stevenage and comes here having played a lot of football at professional level.
"We are excited to have the chance to work with him and, hopefully, we can help him develop and improve during his time with us.”
At present, it leaves Aaron Chapman as the only goalkeeper in Gillingham's first-team squad, ahead of their home match against Burton on Saturday.
Meanwhile, ambitious National League side Wrexham, who play Folkestone in the FA Trophy this weekend, have been linked with a move for striker Vadaine Oliver.