Gillingham defender Connor Essam has left the club for League 1 Crawley Town.

Essam has not featured for the Gills under current boss Martin Allen and Crawley confirmed his arrival there on Wednesday.

He joins on a two and a half year deal.

Essam said: "I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

"Things haven’t worked out for me at Gillingham this season but I feel I have a lot to offer and Crawley is getting a reputation for developing young players and I think I can improve here and hopefully help the boys push on towards the play-offs.”

Essam, 20, is a product of Gills' youth system and made his debut for the club in February 2012, having impressed over the winter period with Dartford.

Sheerness-based Essam went onto make 18 appearances for League 2 Gillingham last season and was rewarded with a new three year contract.

But he was unable to break into the first team under Allen and instead enjoyed a loan stint with Blue Square Bet Premier Luton Town, where he made nine appearances.