Liam Gordon said he felt it was the right time to test himself in the EFL and believes Gillingham is the perfect location to do it.
The 30-year-old centre-back arrives from Motherwell following a two-year stint at Fir Park, but is now ready to take on a new challenge.
He revealed a call with the management staff was key in deciding to move to Kent.
Speaking to the club website, he said: “When Gillingham came knocking it was a move that really interested me.
“After speaking with the manager and the rest of the coaching staff on a zoom call I came off it with a great feeling about the place.
“I feel like it’s a place that I can genuinely go and make that next step in my Football career.
“I am delighted to be here.”
Although a big move for the player, he has always been keen on a move to England as he explained.
He added: “I don’t think I could have picked a more southern club! It’s a big move for me, but I just felt at the time in my career, and the way everything was, I thought it was the next step to go and give England a try.
“It is a country I have always admired for the Football.
“I will get back down the road, sorting everything out and getting bits moved here. I need to sort accommodation and a car etc so it will be a busy couple of weeks.”
Liam outlined what his career pathway has been and how he spoke to a number of ex-Gills players before making the final decision to travel south.
He said: “I was born and bred in Perth. I played grassroots there but signed my first contract at Raith Rovers when I was 16; I was there a short period and then Hearts signed me on deadline day.
“I spent three brilliant years there as a youth player, made a couple of appearances there before going back to Perth and then signed for my hometown club, [St. Johnstone[, who I had supported since I was a boy.
“I had eight or nine fabulous years there with great success with some amazing memories. After that I felt it was time for a change so I moved to Motherwell and had two of the best seasons I’ve had in Football from a playing point of view.
“It’s a great group of lads, a great club run by really good people but after that two years I was ready for that next step and I just thought Gillingham was the right move.
“There are guys I have played with who have spent time at Gillingham and even guys in England in general who I spoke to before I came down and they all really recommended it and praised this club a lot, so that sort of sealed the deal aswell because some close friends had a lot of good to say about it so that made it an easier decision.
“Slatts [Callum Slattery, former Gills loanee] was helping me out; I think he is friends with some of the guys in the team so he helped me out regarding places to stay and he praised the place a lot and a club that was highly thought of in his mind.
“I didn’t have the courage to tell Cooky [Regan Charles-Cook] because he kept telling me he wanted me to stay at Motherwell! He is another great lad who did really well here and is doing really great up in Scotland.
“Now I’ve met everyone behind the scenes it just seems such a well-run club, everyone seems aligned and together which is lovely to see.
“Everything looks and sounds great and let’s hope we have a successful season together.”
The defender revealed what supporters can expect from him, he added: “With me you know you are going to get 110%. I am all in or nothing. I am honest, I’m hardworking, I like to think I have a bit of quality here and there and I am a defender first and foremost.
“Ultimately, I just want to be a player on that pitch that the fans will be proud to see wearing the colours of their team and I am sure I can do that.
“Togetherness is one thing we will need. We obviously need to give the supporters something to cheer and be excited about so that’s on us, but I think together if we pull in the same direction I think we can achieve great things.
“I can’t wait to get out there, play in front of them and hear the roar.”
