Gillingham midfielder Jack Payne has joined Championship side Peterborough on loan until the end of the season.

The two clubs have agreed a financial package for that deal to turn permanent at the end of the loan spell.

Payne emerged from Gillingham’s youth set-up and played over 100 times for the club.

He was understood to have been close to agreeing a loan move to Crystal Palace last week, with David Wright moving in the opposite direction, but that deal fell through.

Peterborough were linked with Payne during the summer and were quick to move in and sign the 21-year-old.

Gills boss Martin Allen: “A move fell through here earlier in the week but he responded very well, he was fine, then this other club came in at the last minute and to go and play in the Championship, at his age, is an opportunity that can be life-changing for a footballer, financially, and sometimes you have to take it.”

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony tweeted: “Jack is quality young midfielder who we were close to signing last summer. Better late than never. Will complement our young squad.”

Payne’s departure is likely to be followed by others in the coming days, with Allen saying: “We have a couple of our other players who have been offered deals at other clubs as well in the last 48 hours. It certainly hasn’t unsettled the camp.

“I can’t name them for obvious reasons but they were a couple of players not on the bench and it doesn’t take rocket science to work that one out. It hasn’t unsettled what we have been doing and the players have been very sharp in training.”

Picture: Barry Goodwin

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