Three teenagers have signed professionals contracts at Gillingham – and the club’s owners have had their say.

Sam Gale, Alex Giles and Ronald Sithole will all join up with the senior side when they return to training tomorrow (Wednesday).

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Gillingham are keen to boost their homegrown pool of players and the three will all be competing for a spot in Neil Harris’ side this season.

Chairman Brad Galinson said: "I would like to congratulate all three players personally on signing their first professional deals.

“It's great to see our homegrown talent coming through and I look forward to seeing how they develop over the next 12 months."

Director Shannon Galinson also offered her congratulations to the players.

She tweeted: “Congratulations to Sam, Alex and Ronald. I loved seeing your families busrting with pride for you. Welcome to the big time!”

All three spent much of last season out on loan.

Sithole, who can play on the wing or upfront, is the younger brother of Gerald, who left the Gills for Bolton Wanderers.

The 18-year-old, from Ashford, has spells with Chatham Town, Whitstable and Faversham last season.

Both Giles, 17 and Gale, 18, were loaned out to Isthmian League side Sheppey United last season, and the pair impressed the manager Jack Midson as The Ites just missed out on a play-off spot.

Giles, a central defender, has been with the Gills since the under-9s and also spent time on loan at Corinthian.

Gale can play as a centre-half or in midfield and has already had a taste of the Football League, making his debut at home against Cheltenham as a late substitute in November 2021.

Australian forward Matty MacArthur was also offered a deal at the end of last season.

The young scholars who left at the end of the season were Will Dempsey, Julian Kuhr, Elliott Moore and Freddie Carter.