Gills boss delighted to clinch the signing of Ryan Jackson.
Manager Steve Evans says he is pleased to have fought off competition to land the signing of Ryan Jackson.
The 30-year-old defender returns for a second spell at MEMS Priestfield Stadium following an impressive 2019/20 campaign with Colchester United, and becomes the manager’s first signing of the summer.
Speaking to iFollow Steve said: “We are really pleased; he needs no introduction from me to Gills fans does he? My teams in recent times have come up against Ryan, at Mansfield for example, and I watched Colchester quite a bit last season and, for me, there were a couple of outstanding players in that team, and Ryan was one and [he suits] how we want to play with his athleticism on the right hand side.
“He was someone I wanted to bring back and from the first time I chatted to the boy he was really hurt when he left here the last time and he’s gone about his business, as you would expect, as a young professional, got on with it, and he’s had an outstanding season.
“I have spoken to two or three lads that have played for me and Paul at previous clubs who played in League 2 last year and they were raving about him.
“I watched the play-offs and against Exeter he was the best player on the park in the first game, and very good in the second. Through no fault of his own he’s come out of Colchester but within 20 minutes of our chat he did nothing but talk about Gills and the old days, players and supporters.
“He is the first of a few, but we are pleased to get him in.”
The Gills boss admitted he had to work hard to get the deal over the line, with Jackson attracting interests from a number of clubs.
He said: “The kid had four or five options and at one point I thought he was drifting, but we got it back on track and he’s signed and joined us.
“There’s no giants in there but clubs were after him, he’s done the documentation now.
“We just feel, how we want to play and have always played, considering the full-backs we have had at other clubs, they were really focused on attacking. Centre-backs and goalkeepers keep the ball out of the net, let the full-backs concentrate on helping us to unlock the doors.
“I think his energy levels, willingness to get forward, his quality in attacking set play situations is very good. He just gives us a different option in terms of attacking options, a totally different type to Barry Fuller who had a great season.
“We are really pleased to get him in.”