Striker Cody McDonald has signed for Gillingham's League 1 rivals AFC Wimbledon.

The front-man turned down the chance of staying at the Gills, after being offered a new deal at the end of last season.

McDonald leaves the Gills after making over 200 appearances for the club and scoring 81 goals.

After completing his move, McDonald, 31, said: "I met with the (Wimbledon) manager a couple of years ago before I signed at Gillingham again.

"I really liked what he put on the table back then and with the club at a higher level now, at this stage in my career it was something I could not really turn down."

McDonald's new team meet the Gills on Tuesday, September 12, with the return match at Priestfield on Saturday, December 30.

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The popular striker finished last season with 12 goals, including two late crackers against Bristol City to clinch a 3-1 win.

McDonald made a name for himself at Dartford, scoring 14 goals in 15 games to earn a move to Norwich City. It was a season-long loan move from there to Gills that began his Gills career, coming as part of the deal that saw Simeon Jackson move the other way.

He finished as the club's leading scorer in that season, scoring 25 goals.

The striker was unable to capture that form when moving to Coventry City and he would join the Gills for a second time on loan, before eventually rejoining on a permanent deal.

Gillingham were keen to keep hold of him but Wimbledon's offer proved impossible for the Essex man to turn down.

Dons boss Neil Ardley said: "He has only just turned 31 and he still has years ahead of him. He scored 12 goals last season for Gillingham in a team that struggled a bit and his goalscoring record previously has been very good."